lets talk about biokinetics and pilates

What is Biokinetics?

When people ask me what my profession is, I respond with “I am a Biokineticist”. 99% of the time I get a response like “What is that?” or “Oh, so you are like a physiotherapist?”. If you don’t know what a Biokineticist is or what a Biokineticist does, let me explain:

Biokinetics is a medically recognized professional discipline, applying scientifically based physical activity, to help prevent disease or injury or to do final phase rehabilitation following the onset of disease or injury. It improves quality of life and performance (sport and work) through movement. 

The word Biokinetics is taken from the Greek words "BIOS" which means "life" and "KINESIS" which means "movement". Therefore, it refers to maintenance of quality of life through the use of physical activity (movement).

Biokineticists are registered with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA), and are bound to a strict code of ethics ensuring that all treatments which the patient receives are of the highest quality.

A biokineticist deals with the rehabilitation and prevention of the following conditions or injuries:
*         Posture correction
*         Performance improvement (sport & work)
*         Sports Injuries
*         Chronic & Acute Back Pain

*         Joint Pain and Joint Replacements
*         Neurological Disorders 
*         Cardiovascular conditions
*         Diabetes
*         Child Movement Development
*         Prenatal Exercise
*         Arthritis
*         Cancer (during and after treatment)
*         Obesity
*         Osteoporosis
*         High blood pressure
*         High cholesterol
*         Overuse injury

What is Pilates?

People always think that Pilates and Yoga is the same thing. They also believe that Pilates is only for women and that men can’t or shouldn’t do Pilates. Both these assumptions are false. Because Pilates is gentle and challenging at the same time, it is safe and effective for nearly everyone, irrespective of age, sex or fitness ability, from expectant mothers to the super fit. Pilates is a form of exercise, developed by Joseph Pilates, which emphasizes the balanced development of the body through strength, flexibility, and awareness in order to support efficient, graceful movement. Pilates can play a key role in overall health and fitness and is transformational and is a focused method of movement that facilitate positive change in the body and mind. It is a form of exercise that focuses on the individual’s needs in relation to alignment, posture, toning, sport specific training and general health. 

The benefits of Pilates include the following:
*         Stress relief
*         Relief of general aches and pain
*         Improved coordination   
*         Improved flexibility
*         Improved performance 
           (sport and work)      
*         Postural improvement
*         Increased endurance
*         Increased overall strength
*         Increased body tone
*         Increased energy levels

Pilates emphasizes correct form while exercising and all the Pilates moves require you to engage virtually your whole body. With so many exercise variations and progressions you may have a hard time getting bored with Pilates.

Some key differences between Pilates and Yoga include the following:

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Until next time.
WIlna Pretorius
Biokinetics · Pilates
Life  -   Health  -  Movement