Pilates is an exercise method designed to uniformly strengthen, stretch, and align the whole body. It can be done on a mat, using various small props, or with the help of specially designed machines using springs and pulleys. Pilates is a mind-body exercise, meaning you are expected to be present in the moment and think about what you are doing (as opposed to mindlessly walking a treadmill). For me Pilates is all about balancing the body- stretching what's tight, strengthening what's weak, and finding the ideal postures and alignments in your body to allow greater ease of movement while alleviating and preventing pain.

Pilates was created by a German man named Joseph Pilates in the early twentieth century (he called it "Contrology"). Here is a good quote from Joe: "[Pilates] is designed to give you suppleness, natural grace, and skill that will be unmistakably reflected in the way you walk, in the way you play, and in the way you work. You will develop muscular power with corresponding endurance, ability to perform arduous duties, to play strenuous games, to walk, run, or travel for long distances without undue body fatigue or mental strain." He was a pretty fascinating guy, and way ahead of his time. You can read more about Joseph Pilates here.