Photo Courtesy of Suzette G Photography
Pilates fits every lifestyle …
Does your career have you sitting all day forcing you to fill your movement quota on the weekend? Or are you currently not working out, but looking to start a movement routine that you can ease into? Maybe, you are coming back from an injury or experiencing the aches and pains of gravity? Perhaps, you just had a baby and are looking to restore pre-pregnancy strength and energy? Wherever you are coming from, Pilates is for Everyone!
Short Term Benefits of Pilates
When it comes to the benefits of Pilates the list can be endless, but we will discuss the most typically noted ones here. The benefits listed relate to one of the main intentions of Joseph Pilates, which is to serve the health of the spine.
Short-term benefits of Pilates include:
- Understand the art of breathing well.
- Increasing overall muscle strength.
- Better mobility for a general ease of movement.
- Enhanced flexibility with less rigidity.
- Improved posture and full body alignment.
- Become more coordinated and controlled in your daily life movement.
- Healthier immune system. *Stay tuned for a follow up about Pilates and Immunity.
Long Term Benefits of Pilates
One of the main long-term benefits of Pilates is known as “Uniform Development.” This is a term coined by Joseph Pilates. When the body is evenly developed and organized in relation to the spine, it allows for healthy breathing, circulation, and nourishment of the whole body.
Other long-term benefits of Pilates include the following:
- Eliminates chronic aches and pains.
- Reduces stress.
- Renews vitality.
- Increases self-confidence.
- Empowers a person.
- Develops a connection between the body and the mind.
- Enhances Quality of Life!
Practicing Pilates is a form of self-care that is extremely beneficial and not to be confused with self-indulgence. It requires mindfulness and focus, which develops a heightened awareness. When you build self-awareness it translates into compassion for others, your community, and the global human experience. In essence, it makes you intentional and conscientious.
Hopefully, these benefits motivate you to a healthy 2019!
Lindy Irwin, PMA®-CPT, RN
