What’s is Pilates?
From the outside looking in, pilates looks easy. And yes, pilates is slow, in comparison to a full cardio class, but that doesn’t necessarily mean easy. Place a beginner alongside an experienced mover, you’ll see the same basic moves appear for both but the latter will move more slowly, with precision, awareness, concentration and a strong emphasis on technique, breathing and mindful movement, while co-ordinating all these with grace and control. Therein lies the challenge.
So why is Pilates so great?
Pilates focuses on your core, and by core we don’t just mean your 6-pack, we are talking deep core muscles aka transversus abdominus, multifidi, pelvic floor and diaphragm and the connection between these.
When we access our deep core muscles and coordinate them with our breath, we create a wonderful connection and begin to find true stability in the body. Harnessing this stability helps take the pressure off peripheral joints, helps protect our spine, and helps us to move and function more efficiently, whether that’s striking a ball or transferring a baby from their cot, horse-riding or moving furniture. But Pilates doesn’t just work the core, you will work your whole body, without straining or overloading it, a full body workout from top to toe.
Who should do Pilates?
The great thing about pilates is that it really is beneficial to EVERY BODY. I have lots of different people of varying fitness levels, body types and backgrounds attending my pilates classes. If you’re stiff, uncoordinated, inflexible, hypermobile, fit or active, pilates will work for you. It’s the combination of stability, flexibility and mobility that strikes perfect chord for so many people. You most certainly will feel stronger, increase tone, and imporve flexibility. You may also have better posture, more body awareness and a better sense of well-being.
People practice pilates for a variety of reasons, some for relaxation, some to de-stress, some to zone out, some to build core strength, some to tone muscles, some to build and maintain bone strength, some to complement their other sporting endeavours and some to relieve pain, particularly low back pain. My back pain clients tell me pilates keeps them moving pain free, and it is a necessity for them, they never miss a class.
I’m a complete beginner, is pilates suitable for me?
Joseph Pilates the creater of PILATES said,
“In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you’ll see a difference, and in 30 sessions you’ll have a whole new body”
If you are new to pilates, then start at the beginning, find a qualified instructor, a studio that suits you and get the basic principles down, once you have these under your belt you will start to ‘feel the difference’, and then you’ll never want to leave!
Goretti x
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