What is Pilates

Pilates is a physical fitness system that has many benefits and was developed by Joseph Pilates back in the 20th century. He liked to call the system ‘Contrology’. This is because of how the method is bent toward controlling your muscles and your mind power.

Joseph Pilates was enthusiastic about his methods and designed more than 500 specific exercises that he based on the belief that your mental health and your physical health were dependent on one another and integral. The exercises he designed involved several calisthenic motions, undertaking total conditioning of the body.

The exercises are geared toward proper body alignment, concentration, body centering, control, and precision, resulting in:

• More flexibility;
• Greater muscle tone;
• More energy;
• More body awareness;
• More strength;
• Mental clarity and concentration are greatly improved.

With Pilates, the emphasis is put on core muscle groups, the ones that control posture. They are trained for balancing the body and providing the right support for the spine. Breath control is one of the main focuses of Pilates. It assists the body in spine alignment and torso strengthening.

Who can Benefit from Pilates

One great thing about Pilates is not having to be some professional athlete to get benefits from it. All people of all ages, suffering from arthritis, can really benefit from these exercises.

People who practice Pilates use their bodies as training weights. Basically, it helps them build up their strength and flexibility. Many physiotherapists use Pilates for providing assistance for gaining movement needed by individuals for getting through their daily routines normally.

There are basically two ways of doing Pilates:

• One is to work along with an instructor who is certified, which might be a bit expensive;
• Or you can join a group and take classes, which is cheaper.

Whatever way works for you, this system blends Western and Eastern techniques to bring you along and help you to build long flexible muscles that help with your body posture, your control, and your movement.

Pilates Benefits

Here are some benefits you can expect:

• Tones up and thins down your thighs.
• Give your body the ability to defy gravity.
• Increases your energy level, your concentration, and awareness.
• Corrects any underlying imbalances in flexibility.
• Give you the ability to partake of the benefits, even if you have painful physical conditions.
• The main idea behind Pilates is re-teaching your body and reversing some of the damage caused over the years due to bad posture, stress, and a lot of tension.

Pilates combines the mind with body balance to achieve more core strength, less tension, and it helps with lower back pain as well.

What You can Expect from Pilates Exercise Benefits

The Pilates exercise can contribute much in maintaining a healthy physique from head to toe and this can also help treat muscle pains or back pains. This kind of exercise may not be very easy, but is very effective.

For example, one of my friends had fibromyalgia, which is a type of syndrome that affects soft tissue and muscles of the body, and his doctor has recommended him to perform regular Pilates exercise, and now he’s 100% fine. What I’m trying to point out is that this exercise is really a proven way to take away body pains.

Pilates Benefits for those who want to stay fit

However, this is not only for people who are suffering from body pains, this is also for those who want to maintain a fit and strong body. Let me cite to you a number of benefits that you can get from doing the Pilates exercise:

You will have a stronger core

The main concentration of the Pilates exercise is the back, lower back and the abdominal muscles.  If these particular areas are strong, you will most likely be spared from incurring back injuries. In addition, you will also get to have flat and well-toned stomachs or abs, which is an added bonus.

Your muscles will become leaner and longer

Pilates exercise involves controlled stretching exercises that can make your muscles longer and your body leaner. For instance, a lot of people who perform this exercise get the impression that they grew taller, which is quite logical.

Your mind gets a healthy share

In Pilates, your body is not the only one who benefits from it, but your mind as well.  This helps in elevating your consciousness.  For instance, when you’re doing breathing exercises, you will have to ascertain the right level of air coming in and out of your body for a more satisfying outcome.

You will develop good posture

The Pilates exercise encourages good and smart posture. One of its purposes is to stretch your spine and keep it firm and solid.  The firmness of the spine is very important, especially for people who are getting old or for those who are often focused on their computers. 

It’s important to note that lots of individuals tend to slouch where the shoulders are drooping and the head is protruded.  This is not quite a good sight, but this can still be corrected through the Pilates exercise;

You will have stronger and more flexible muscles due to Pilates Benefits

When you’re performing the Pilates, your muscles are strengthened and they become flexible.  Being flexible means that you can move more freely and that the possibility of injuries is reduced.