7 Reasons To Try Pilates

7 Reasons To Try Pilates

I was first introduced to Pilates back in 2000, when I took my first private Pilates session to see what it was all about. That first experience was okay, but just okay. To be honest, I didn’t feel like I got anything out of it. Because of this experience, I knew how important and vital it is for people to make sure they find a good instructor who gives clear and precise cues, especially for those who are just starting a Pilates practice. 

Nine years later, I rediscovered Pilates after accidentally falling and injuring my ribs. My injury, coupled with the stress of worrying about how I was going to help take care of my parents who lived out of state and happened to be ill at the same time, meant that it was a very trying period of my life. In fact, my stress began to manifest itself in physical symptoms. As a result, I felt vulnerable, de-conditioned, and had constant upper back pain from the fall. It literally felt like a knife was lodged between my shoulder blades.

I began to work with a physical therapist who incorporated Pilates into my physical therapy sessions. After just a couple sessions, I knew that doing Pilates was going to help my upper back pain, as well as mitigate my stress. In fact, Pilates helped me so much more than I ever imagined. It’s helped me to be pain-free, which is one of the most significant reasons why I eventually decided to become a Pilates instructor, myself.

What is Pilates?
Pilates is an exercise system developed in the 1960s by a German fitness trainer named Joseph Pilates. As a child, Pilates suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. As a way of overcoming his illnesses, he dedicated his entire life to improving his physical strength. Pilates came to believe that the "modern" lifestyle (including poor posture and inefficient breathing) lay at the root of most people’s poor health.

Joseph Pilates conceived his method as a way to connect and develop the body, mind and spirit through a specialized system of breath and movement. Pilates can help improve muscular strength, flexibility, mental awareness and overall health. The key principles of the Pilates method include breathing, concentration, control, centering, precision, balanced muscle development, rhythm/flow, whole body movement and relaxation.

There are two basic forms of Pilates:

Mat-based Pilates: Mat-based Pilates is a series of exercises performed on a mat on the floor using gravity and your own body weight or resistance bands. A foam roller and small props like straps or foam blocks can be used as well.

Equipment-based Pilates: Equipment-based Pilates includes specific equipment with spring-loaded resistance. The most common is the Pilates Reformer, which is a movable carriage that slides along metal tracks. Some Pilates techniques include barrels and chairs, and others involve weights such as dumbbells to offer additional resistance.

Who should try Pilates?
Pilates is an approachable form of exercise with physical and mental benefits for just about anyone. You should consider trying Pilates if you suffer from any of the following:  

• Back pain or any other type of pain in your body 

• Poor posture 

• A sedentary job or lifestyle 

• Poor concentration 

• Anxiety 

• Low energy 

• Tight muscles
• Hyper-mobility (often as a result of weak muscles around the joints)

How can Pilates benefit me?
Unlike a traditional cardiovascular or weight-training workout, Pilates can offer multiple holistic benefits that are approachable to anyone with the desire to improve their well-being. Here are a few of those benefits:

1: Pilates can make you stronger

Pilates can enhance your physical and mental strength and performance. It can help you strengthen weak muscles and create balance and stability throughout your entire body. Pilates can also give you more energy and improve your focus and concentration.

2: Pilates can improve your posture

Pilates can improve your posture by helping you create balanced muscle development and symmetry. Good posture helps keep bones and joints in the correct alignment so that muscles can move with less wear and strain on your body’s ligaments and tendons. Good posture can also help prevent backaches and muscular pain, whether you sit at a desk all day or have a more active job or lifestyle. Improving your posture will help you do the things you love for a longer period of time.

3. Pilates can help decrease or eliminate your body aches and pains

Pilates helps you create good upper and lower body stability, which helps prevent backaches and muscular pain. When you practice improving your body’s mobility and stability, you can also improve your overall physical performance — whether you’re a stay-at-home-mom or a sponsored athlete. In short, Pilates can help you to avoid injury and stay pain-free. Pilates can also help create more homeostasis or "balance” both inwardly and outwardly. When our bodies are in a good state of equilibrium, we can naturally heal ourselves and prevent diseases from occurring. When our bodies are out of balance, we can feel depleted, stressed and physically sick.

4. Pilates can improve your overall flexibility

Pilates can help you develop both strength and flexibility, which is key to improving the way your body moves throughout the day, from sitting and standing to reaching and bending. Good flexibility can go a long way in preventing injury and eliminating muscular pain.

5. Pilates can improve your mood

When you exercise, your body releases endorphins — the natural “feel good” hormones. Practicing Pilates helps release these anti-aging, stress-relieving hormones which can help improve your mood and mental well-being.

6. Pilates can boost energy and circulation

A key tenet of Pilates is the focus on breath during movement. Focusing on breathing can not only help to center and calm your senses, but also improve overall circulation and increase lung capacity. Plus, the release of endorphins can boost energy levels. 

7. Pilates can decrease your stress levels

Pilates is incredibly powerful when it comes to helping you rejuvenate, relieve tension and relax. When you practice being intentional with your breath, it can help decrease stress and anxiety, and relax your mind and body. Plus, the simple act of taking time away from a busy day to slow down and focus on your health can have a big effect on your outlook.

If you want to improve your posture, muscle tone, flexibility, and mood while increasing your energy level, then I encourage you to give Pilates a try.

 To get started, try my free 3 Day Pilates Challenge.

Have questions or comments?  Please post them in the comment box below.  I would love to hear from you!

To an amazing, healthier you,

 Ranada xo