The Benefits of Pilates
Pilates is much more than an abdominal workout. It is a form of mindful movement that combines strength, control, mobility breathing and concentration.
Whether you are new to exercise, returning after having children, an office working dealing with stiffness, or an athlete looking to improve performance, Pilates can be adapted to suit your body and your individual needs.
Here are some of the ways regular Pilates practise can benefit you.
Improve Your Posture
Pilates encourages better alignment and body awareness, helping you understand how you hold and move your body.
It can be particularly helpful if you spend long periods sitting at a desk or driving, as it strengthens the muscles that support good posture and counteracts some of the effects of prolonged sitting and slouching.
Build Full-Body Strength
Pilates works the whole body rather than focusing on one muscle group. Exercises can be adapted to challenge you at your own level, helping you develop strength, control and muscular endurance.
Strengthen Your Core
The core is central to Pilates. We work the deep abdominal and stabilising muscles that help to support your pelvis and spine.
A stronger core can improve your control and help maintain better posture you during everyday activities and sport. Pilates can also help to address muscular imbalances by teaching you to use your body more efficiently.
Move With Less Pain and More Ease
Many people come to Pilates because they feel stiff, uncomfortable or restricted in their movement.
Pilates focuses on strengthening the muscles that support your spine and pelvis while improving mobility, alignment and body awareness. This can help you move more comfortably and may be beneficial for people experiencing common aches and pains.
If you have an injury or ongoing pain, exercises can often be modified to suit you. If you have a private class then this can go even further by helping your rehabilitation.
Improve Flexibility and Mobility
Pilates combines controlled strengthening with movement through comfortable range of motion.
Over time, regular practise can help you develop greater mobility, control and confidence in how your body moves.
Pregnancy and Postnatal
Pilates can be adapted throughout pregnancy and can be a wonderful way to maintain strength, mobility and body awareness as your body changes.
It can also help prepare for the physical demands of childbirth, motherhood and support your return to exercise after having a baby. Click here to learn more.
Better Balance and Coordination
Pilates requires concentration, control and coordination. You are constantly connecting your mind to your body and learning how to perform movements with greater precision.
Pilates works your proprioception and balance to help you as you age.
Improve Your Sports Performance
Pilates can be a great complement to other forms of exercise and sport.
Improved core strength, move with ease, balance, control and body awareness can help you move more efficiently, While stronger and a more balanced body may help reduce the risk of exercise related injuries.
Pilates can help increase your range of movement to help you move more efficiently while you enjoy your sport.
A Workout For Your Mind Too
Pilates isn't just about muscles. You need to concentrate on your breathing, alignment and movement throughout a class.
That focus encourages a strong mind-body connection, really listening to your body as you move gives you the opportunity to switch off from the distractions of everyday life.
Support Your Mental Wellbeing
Exercise can have a positive effect on mood and wellbeing, and Pilates offers the added benefit of mindful movement.
As you move better and become more confident in your body, you may also notice a positive change in how you feel about yourself. Exercise also releases stress-relieving chemicals called Endorphins.
Support Healthy Bones
Strength and weight-bearing exercise are important for maintaining bone health as we age.
Pilates can form part of an active lifestyle that includes exercises designed to challenge your muscles and support strength, balance and mobility,
For people with osteoporosis movements can be appropriately adapted.
Improve Circulation
Pilates involves continuous, controlled and movement and focused breathing, encouraging blood flow throughout the body.
Rather thank simply moving through the exercises, you learn to breath and move with intention, helping you fell more awake, energised and connected to your body as you move. As Joseph Pilates calls it, for “bodily house cleaning”.
Anyone, Anywhere
One of the wonderful things about Pilates is how adaptable it is.
You don't have to be fit, flexible or strong to start. Exercises can be modified to meet you where you are and progressed accordingly.
And because Pilates mat work requires no equipment, you can practise almost anywhere - from the studio to your living room or even a hotel room! If you would like to start at home take a look here at the video class service.
The Best Benefit? Felling Better
This is what Pilates is really about. Understanding your body, becoming stronger and more mobile, moving with ease and leaving feeling much better than before you started.
You don't need to be perfect. You don't need to be naturally flexible. You simply need to start where you are.
Come and discover how Pilates can help you move better, feel stronger and feel at home in your body.
