Pilates: The Road to a New You

First developed in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates, a true fitness visionary, the Pilates Method is a strength and conditioning system that emphasizes:

• coordination over callisthenics;
• mind/body balance over physical "bulking up"; and
• quality of motion over mindless repetition.

Long favored by dancers and athletes, this method of exercise has exploded in popularity in recent years among people from every walk of life, and of all body types and fitness levels. And the reason is simple: the exercises range from the easy to the demanding, yet all are enjoyable — and they get results. For regular practitioners, that means longer, leaner muscles, flatter abs, better posture, increased energy, and much more.

Spreading the Word with B.E.A.M.™

Jillian Hessel is a firm believer in sharing the proven health benefits of the Pilates Method with as many people as possible. She is a certified fitness instructor and "second-generation" Pilates Master who has studied directly under some of Joseph Pilates' most revered students, including Kathy Grant, Carola Trier, Eve Gentry, and Ron Fletcher. She even owns and teaches on an original "Cadillac" exercise apparatus built by Joseph Pilates himself!

She has been quoted in and written articles about Pilates for many magazines, from Allure to Yoga Journal, and has made numerous television appearances as well. Among other Pilates instructors, she enjoys a well-earned reputation as a "teacher's teacher," and she is much sought-after as a presenter at fitness conventions nationally and internationally.

Jillian has taught Pilates to group classes and individual clients since 1981. Her roster of past students includes housewives and husbands, dancers and athletes, celebrities and busy professionals. In addition, she has starred in many exercise videos that are sold in retail stores everywhere (and also available for sale online).

And with the publication of her first book, Pilates Basics, along with its companion DVD, Pilates for Beginners, Jillian is able to introduce her B.E.A.M. Fundamentals™ to a wider audience of learners. This unique approach to teaching Pilates melds the insights of her mentors with Jillian's own background in modern dance, ballet, yoga, and therapeutic exercise, making the workouts both more accessible and effective. "B.E.A.M." is an acronym that stands for:

• Breathe — to establish the mind/body connection and breath pattern for each exercise.
• Energize — to first bring up the energy level of the body and to suggest the visualizations that should accompany the exercise.
• Align — to organize bones and muscles into correct form so the exercise gives maximum benefit.
• Move — to perform the exercise in a controlled, fluid, and dynamic manner.

For years, Jillian's clients have benefitted from first performing the B.E.A.M. Fundamentals — and now you can too. These Fundamentals will enhance the mind/body connection to your core muscles. Once you have incorporated them into your routine, you can move more powerfully and with a deeper understanding onto traditional Mat and Apparatus work.

Welcome to JillianHessel.com

Visitors can learn much more about Pilates and the B.E.A.M. Fundamentals in the pages of this website. In addition, you will find here a wealth of illustrative photos, articles, video clips, sample workouts, and other Pilates-related resources. The site is constantly being updated, so enjoy your visit — and come back often!

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