Why Pilates?

Well, why not? If you’re looking for a form of exercise that trains your body as an integrated whole and one that promotes strength, balanced muscle development and flexibility as well as increased range of motion in your joints, then Pilates is for you. If you’re looking for an exercise form that does all this and is low impact, then Pilates really is for you. My opinion is that it really is for everyone and I think everyone could benefit with having Pilates be part of their fitness regimen. I have clients who are athletes who recognize the value in having long, strong, flexible muscles and have seen how it benefits their performance in their chosen sport. I have clients in their late 70s who come to keep their joints mobile, their muscles flexible and strong and because Pilates is about mindful movement it keeps their brains active as well. And then there is everyone in between these two extremes – men, women, young and older – all due to the endless benefits Pilates provides. The beauty of it is that anyone, at any age can get started. 

If you practice Pilates regularly it WILL change your body. Known for creating long, strong muscles, it improves muscle tone, balances musculature, supports beautiful posture and teaches you to move with ease and grace. Joseph Pilates described the method as “Complete coordination of body, mind and spirit”. Each movement is practiced with total attention to bring forth the most benefit from each exercise. 

Pilates hones your focus.

Pilates urges you to focus on 1) your breath, 2) your body, and 3) how they move together. It takes a LOT of concentration! You can’t “zone out” doing Pilates. That is one of the reasons Classical Pilates is not done with music playing in the background. No distractions allow you to put the focus on your breath and the movements you are trying to get your body to make.

Pilates improves your sports performance.

When you really start focusing on your core, you realize that all of your muscles are connected to your core. Try doing lunges without your abdominals… you would crumble to the ground. With a stronger core you’ll run faster, have a better golf swing, your yoga will be on point and overall the rest of your workouts will improve.

Pilates makes you more flexible.

I always think of one of my favourite clients whose classic line is “I’m flexible, just not in a bendy way.” So many people think “I can’t do Pilates, I’m not flexible”. But that is exactly WHY they should be doing it! When you’re tight, your muscles shorten and limit your body’s range of motion. At best, that can hurt your exercise performance. At worst, it can cause injury. As our bodies age, they have a tendency to become stiff and inflexible. This creates a poorly aligned body which causes back pain, stiff necks and headaches. Another reason to make flexibility a key part of your fitness.

Pilates boosts your brainpower. 

Joseph Pilates called it the “thinking mans exercise”. It could very well be. When Chinese researchers measured changes in women’s brain activity after 10 weeks of Pilates training, they found an increase in the brain’s alpha peak power, which is related to neural network activity, memory performance and other cognitive functions. Researchers believe Pilates may even hold potential as a treatment option for people with degenerative brain diseases and cognitive dysfunctions! 

Pilates improves your balance and coordination. 

It focuses on working the body as an integrated whole instead of individual parts. And when your body is working as an integrated whole your coordination and balance improve. Take a look at a dancer, or a hockey player, or any athlete really. Their bodies are working as an integrated whole.

Pilates improves core strength.

This is probably the most talked about benefit and everyone these days is aware of how important it is to have a strong core. But what is “core strength”? The definition of core stability is the “ability to maintain correct spine alignment, shoulder girdle position and pelvic position whilst moving the limbs”. Sounds like Pilates to me!

Pilates improves your posture. 

Pilates mobilizes your spine which can prevent problems such as tight hamstrings, bent knees, rounded shoulders and a forward poking neck. It teaches you to stand tall with your tummy pulled in and lifted and your shoulders back and down. All of the exercises are performed with proper alignment and good posture in mind and after a while that good posture just becomes second nature.

Pilates improves your mental health.

The focus on breathing is incredibly calming. Much like the practice of yoga focuses on the breath, so does Pilates. The breathing performed in Pilates has been shown to cause a reduction in stress and blood pressure. Deep breathing also helps to remove toxins from the body and encourages correct blood flow. It can even help with sleep. Many scientists also believe that being active can enhance a persons well-being as it brings about a sense of better self-confidence, self-control and the ability to rise to a challenge. Anyone who has ever worked to master the teaser on the reformer knows what I am talking about here. ;)