28/05/2023
THE MAGIC OF PILATES AND HOW IT HELPS TO IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE
BY CHRISTINE KIRKLAND MARCH 30, 2023 HEALTH AND FITNESS
When I first started doing Pilates seriously, it was after the birth of my two children, and I thought it would be a good way to strengthen my core. Little did I know that the benefits of Pilates would extend far beyond my abs!
I can safely say that Pilates has helped my body better than any other form of exercise or therapy. Let me tell you why.
Pilates is a form of exercise that emphasizes controlled, deliberate movements that focus on building full body strength, improving posture, balance, mobility of your joints, and overall body awareness.
This type of exercise is designed to help you move with more ease, as it trains your body to work in a more efficient and coordinated manner. Think of it as working on the fundamentals of movement.
Pilates is a great way to get in shape, no matter what your age or fitness level. It’s one of the few exercise programs that work every part of your body (both small and large muscle groups), including those hard-to-reach core muscles.
Pilates also helps improve posture, which can be especially important as we age and our bodies change. I grew over an inch in height after practicing Pilates regularly!
And if you’re a beginner who’s worried about getting bored or concerned the exercises may be too hard, don’t worry: there are lots of ways for beginners to modify an exercise or challenge themselves without becoming frustrated or discouraged.
Pilates is also a great therapy to help you recover from an injury or surgery. It’s a low-impact exercise plan that is gentle on your joints. By practicing Pilates, you can enhance your understanding of movement in both your joints and overall body. This is crucial in correcting misalignment, promoting good posture, and strengthening underdeveloped muscles.
Pilates Focuses on Strength AND Mobility
To understand how Pilates can help you to move more easily, it’s important to know the difference between strength and mobility.Strength refers to the muscle’s ability to produce force in order to perform an action. Mobility is how well you can move a muscle or group of muscles through a range of motion in your body. Pilates focuses on both strength and mobility – these two components work together for optimal health benefits!
We often assume that to increase our range of motion or lengthen a tight muscle we need to stretch it. But this is not always the case. Many times when a muscle is tight it actually needs to be strengthened. This is an underlying theme in a well-designed Pilates class.
When exercising choose activities that include both strength and mobility elements equally to allow your body to move with more ease and prevent injuries. In a nutshell, this IS Pilates!
It Makes You FEEL Better Too!
Pilates is all about feeling good. It can help you to feel better physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Here’s why:
Pilates strengthens your core muscles (the ones that surround your spine). This improves posture and strengthens key muscles in your back making it easier for you to move without pain or discomfort.
Because Pilates focuses on breathing while moving through different positions, it teaches you how to focus on what’s happening right now – which can help reduce stress levels.
It helps to maintain and improve your balance by working key stabilizing muscle groups in your body that are important to keep you from falling.
Pilates releases endorphins (your brain’s feel-good chemicals) which help you maintain a positive mindset.
Ultimately, Pilates isn’t just about physical fitness; it changes how we feel inside ourselves! Will you tone your body? Sure. Will you lose weight? Probably. But the biggest benefit is how you FEEL inside and that is the magic of Pilates.
