Most people's knowledge of Pilates comes from what they may have seen at a health club, on infomercials or on a DVD. Generally what people see is the mat routine performed in group classes with as many as 40 people or sometimes even more.

Pilates (pronounced puh-lah-tees) is a method of exercise that started in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates, who referred to these exercises as 'Contrology'. These exercises give your entire body a workout while focusing on your core stomach muscles and buttocks — also known as your 'powerhouse'.

In addition to creating more than 30 original mat exercises, he also designed specialized equipment – the cadillac, the wunda chair, the reformer – to complement the mat exercises.

Pilates not only focuses on stretching, strengthening and controlling your body — it is also a philosophy that combines the mind and body through a series of exercises.

Having a certified Pilates instructor work with you through Pilates exercises is key to a successful Pilates workout. With Pilates being as popular as it is today, there is an increasing number of people that are teaching Pilates in one form or another, so ask the right questions before you start taking Pilates! A highly trained instructor is one that has successfully completed 600+ hours of observation, assisting and training and has also taken practical and written exams before a final certification.

At Core Strength Pilates, a certified instructor will design your Pilates program to help you focus on strengthening and stretching your body. Your exercise program will incorporate the mat, reformer, cadillac, wunda chair and other Pilates equipment to energize your body and mind.

As Joseph Pilates once said, "You will feel better in 10 sessions, look better in 20 sessions, and have a completely new body in 30 sessions".

Sue Wojnarowicz began taking individual Pilates sessions in 1999, at the advice of her physician, in order to treat her lower back pain. After seeing how Pilates exercises helped relieve her lower back pain, she continued taking lessons for 3 1/2 years. After completing 600+ apprenticeship hours, she received her Pilates certification through Romana's Pilates in February 2004 (Romana Kryzanowska, master instructor, studied under Joseph Pilates).

Sue also holds two degrees from DePaul University, a B.S. in marketing and a M.B.A. in international business and marketing. After pursuing a career in market research for over a decade, Sue decided on a career change and is now the owner of Core Strength Pilates.

Sue currently trains in the martial arts, has taught karate for over 10 years, holds two black belt degrees and has appeared on ESPN2 as a karate competitor. Her teaching skills in the martial arts easily transfer over to teaching Pilates, as both methods of exercise deal with the philosophy of body movement. She is also a certified personal trainer through the National Academy for Sports Medicine.