BY: Japji Brar
Pilates can help you and it’s never too late to learn. Whether you are curious or cautious, we have all the answers right here for you.
“You must squeeze every atom of impure air from lungs until they are almost as free of air as a vacuum” – Joseph Pilates.
Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise. It combines deep breathing with gentle stretching to boost strength, balance, and mobility. It generally targets the powerhouse of your body (your abs, lower back, pelvic floor, hips, and glutes).
What sets Pilates apart from other forms of exercises is its focus on toning the muscles with your body weight. The good news is that you can practice Pilates at home.
According to Wikipedia, Pilates was developed to help World War I soldiers to restore their inner body strength (both literally and figuratively) and millions of practitioners swear by its mind-body benefits.
It involves syncing body with breath and delivers a nice, long stretch. Some people may prefer yoga over Pilates, but Pilates is more active and effective in toning the body muscles.
Trying to lose some weight?
Pilates can help you drop numbers on the scale in a hurry. Like high-intensity interval workouts, the short repetitive movements, get your heart pumping so you’ll burn some calories.
The moves engage the muscles from head to toe. It helps to strengthen, lengthen and tone. The soreness one feels after a workout is basically when muscles are recovering- and the new routine is working out.
Pilates does not put a strain on your joints unlike other running and high impact cardio exercises. One is seated and balanced as one gets into shape, one stretch at a time.
Pilates has many benefits. It can help you get flat abs and a sculpted waistline with the help of core conditioning. It also helps to ease muscle tension, joint stiffness and back pain. The moves are easy to learn and modify.
How do I get started with Pilates?
Well, firstly get started right away. One should always start to learn from a certified trainer who will help put you through the correct form and paces.
The moves may look simple but, they take a lot of precision and control.
You will gain flexibility, better posture and a better sense of well-being. Always remember Pilates isn’t aerobics.
It will help you boss your flexibility. It is good for beginners and not very expensive, to begin with.
It helps to strengthen the abdomen and pelvis. It helps to maintain a strong body-mind connection like yoga but is a more intense core workout.
Pilates can be very demanding, so one needs to start slowly. It can be tailored to individual needs if you have health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, and cholesterol, You need to check with your doctor first.
If you suffer from diabetes and have diabetic retinopathy, you may need to avoid some moves.
Pilates also helps you improve your sex life. There are several exercises which mimic the action of Kegel exercises (which strengthens the pelvic and floor muscles and constantly supports the uterus, bladder, small intestine, and rectum.
It helps to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which increases pleasure in the bedroom. It also helps to increase blood circulation in the body.
According to a study after about 10 weeks of practising Pilates, there was an increase in the alpha peak power of the brain which plays an important part in the ability to think and solve problems.
So Pilates may be useful for people with brain degenerative diseases and cognitive dysfunctions.
According to another study, Pilates gives you a better and stronger spinal health and prevents the risk of injuries.
Pregnant women may benefit greatly from the practice of Pilates.
It can help with spinal and pelvic alignment. Women who are pregnant or have just given birth may have a strain on the alignment.
Stressed out too often?
Tension can always build up in muscles, especially after long hours of work on a chair and desk. Pilates helps to metabolise the stress hormones that build up. This means muscles will relax, making you feel relaxed and better.
You can do it at home. One of the greatest benefits of Pilates is that it is inexpensive and can be easily practised in the comfort of your own home.
One of the critical parts of health and well-being is a good digestive system. Thanks to the unique moves available in Pilates it affects the internal organs and improves metabolism in the body.
Pilates makes you feel good and naturally increase your energy levels. Pilates is for anyone regardless of their age, fitness level and pain threshold. You may at first question Pilates but will eventually end up enjoying it.
Spending a bomb on facelift surgeries? With Pilates, you don’t have to. It releases the feel-good chemicals called Endorphins. These leave you feeling “naturally high” and give a natural facelift look.
Do you suffer from hypertension? Pilates is a non-drug treatment for hypertension. Yes, you heard that right. According to a recent study, mat Pilates reduces clinical and ambulatory blood pressure.
Just like many exercises which encourage muscle movement and breathing, Pilates can play an important role in boosting your immune system.
Do you suffer from frequent migraines?
Poor posture can play a major role in contributing to back and neck ache and migraines. There are a few essentials that you must keep in your migraine relief kit. Pilates can help you find temporary relief in the short term, in the long term it aims at improving the posture so that one stops getting such aches and pains.
Do you suffer from insomnia?
Pilates again is the answer. According to a study for a better mood and better sleep Pilates can be extremely helpful.
Is Pilates a good workout?
Well, the benefits listed to you above will prove that Pilates is more than good as a form of workout. Pilates is one of the most amazing tips to stay active throughout your life. If you are a doubter out there, consider treating yourself to a few Pilates sessions to experience the benefits yourselves.