What are the benefits of doing Pilates?

Strong Core

Most people are aware that Pilates is great for your core. But what exactly is your core? It’s not just your abs! Think of your core as the internal structure to a skyscraper – if the internal supports to the building are weak eventually the building around it weakens and collapses. Now, I’m not saying your body is going to collapse but it is definitely weaker without a strong core! Your core is made up of the deep muscles that support your pelvis, spine, butt, back, hips and stomach. They are the foundational muscles for keeping our posture strong and tall and allowing us to twist, bend, run, jump and just move.

Strength with Flexibility

Pilates exercises are a combination of dynamic and static strength training. Classes are structured in a way so that the whole body is worked – not just targeted areas. The focus is on increasing functional strength which can then be applied to other activities and day to day life.

Pilates also improves your flexibility with dynamic movements that gently stretch and lengthen your muscles whilst at the same time increasing the range of motion in your joints.

“If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. If it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.” Joseph Pilates

Pilates is for Everyone

Whether you are an older adult just starting to exercise, an elite athlete, or somewhere in between, the foundations of Pilates movement apply to you and your body. The focus on building core strength, proper alignment, and the body-mind connection makes Pilates accessible to all.

With thousands of possible exercises and modifications, Pilates workouts can be tailored to individual needs.

Mindfulness

“Complete Coordination of Mind, Body and Spirit”. Joseph Pilates

This is a secret of Pilates exercise. When you practice each movement with your total attention, the body and mind unite to bring forth the most benefit possible from each exercise.

Pilates uses six key principles—centering, concentration, control, precision, breath, and flow—to integrate the body and mind.

Boost overall health & happiness

The combination of focusing on your breath and movement during a Pilates class creates a feeling of calm that lasts long after the class is done. After every class I feel happier, my young daughter once said “Mommy – you always look so happy after your class!” and it’s so true!!

Because when your body is positively stressed, like when you go through a favorite workout, endorphins are released into the body that make us feel good. If you enjoy your workout and stay focused on it instead of letting your mind wander somewhere else you will feel happy and calm at the end.

When I started doing Pilates for my low back pain I immediately felt that I was finally taking back control of my body and doing something to help it feel better. And although it took a few months for the pain to go the side effect of feeling in control of it boosted my overall feeling of wellbeing and confidence.

And it’s not just me! There have been numerous scientific studies that specifically explored the mood-boosting benefits of Pilates. They found that subjects who did Pilates on a regular basis experienced a reduction in anxiety, fatigue, and depressive symptoms, and a release of negative thought patterns.