Pilates has become a household routine due to celebrity endorsements for their long, lean, and sculpted appearance. If you've been looking for a new workout routine that can improve your flexibility, balance, strength, and muscle tone, and may even help you with aches and pains, this may be an answer since it is appropriate for people of all ages, genders, races, sizes, abilities, and fitness levels. According to the Better Health Channel, Pilates (or the Pilates method) is a collection of approximately 500 exercises inspired by calisthenics, yoga, and ballet. Pilates lengthens and stretches all of the body's major muscle groups in a balanced manner. It increases flexibility, strength, balance, and awareness of one's own body.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, despite the fact that Pilates has been around for nearly 100 years, it is still gaining popularity among new converts, with new devotees joining all the time. There's a reason why it's still a popular form of exercise…it works. Other advantages, according to lead yoga therapist Judi Bar, include increased flexibility, muscle tone, and strength. Where did Pilates come from? Pilates is a type of exercise and body conditioning developed by Joseph Pilates in the early twentieth century, primarily to help dancers recover from injuries. Pilates, formerly known as "Contrology," is a whole-body exercise method designed to improve daily activities and livelihood, according to Roxy Menzies of Healthline. Despite the emphasis on core work, core strength is not the end goal. The goal is to use that core strength to develop functional and sustainable movement patterns throughout the body.
What are some of the advantages of Pilates? According to Roxy Menzies of Healthline, Pilates is well-known for emphasizing the core — the center of the body from which all movement originates. The core is comprised of the trunk's surrounding muscles which strengthen and pliable, support and stabilize the body. Pilates also focuses on the alignment of the entire body, the ideal range of motion at the joints, and the balance of all opposing muscles. Pilates may help to alleviate back pain. It targets the deeper abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor, causing them to contract and release simultaneously — a true sign of strength. Furthermore, Pilates rebalances the body's muscles so that they are neither too loose nor too tight and it improves cardiorespiratory capacity by focusing on the breath. This increases the production of feel-good hormones, oxygen flow, and blood circulation. Pilates is a mind-body exercise that improves proprioception (body awareness). The ability to direct your attention inward and focus on sensations in your body heightens your awareness of comfort or pain, emotions, and your surroundings.
According to Roxy Menzies, Pilates has numerous advantages and is appropriate for anyone, regardless of fitness level, age, size, or any other factor. Incorporating a Pilates practice into your workout routine can greatly support and enhance any endeavor you undertake. Pilates can improve your quality of life whether you want to feel better, tone up, increase muscle mass and bone density, or cross-train. However, always put in my mind that before starting any new fitness program, always consult your doctor, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or have not engage in exercising activities in a long time.
PNFP Marie-Claire Gaas
References:
1. Everything You Want to Know About Pilates
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/everything-you-want-to-know-about-pilates/
2. These 19 Benefits of Pilates Will Inspire You to Fire Up Your Core
Written by Roxy Menzies on April 22, 2021 — Medically reviewed by Jake Tipane, CPT
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pilates-benefits
3. Pilates and yoga - health benefits
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/pilates-and-yoga-health-benefits
