If you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple decades maybe you don’t know what Pilates is.
Pilates is a series of exercises created by Joseph Pilates, that incorporates controlled, precise movements and breathwork in a system designed to engage the body and mind.
His method originally used as a rehabilitative aid in hospitals, evolved into a movement that dancers, actors, and athletes practice to achieve whole body balance.
Today, you can’t talk about fitness without hearing the terms “core” and “mind body connection”. Pilates hits the mark on both.
Core defined
The core is comprised of the abdominal, upper and lower back, and hip muscles. Literally the foundation of your body. If there is weakness in these areas, there will likely be imbalance, dysfunction, and possibly pain and injury.
Functional Benefits
Pilates which can be performed on a mat or specific equipment, offers core strengthening combined with hip and spinal mobility required for everyday life tasks, as well as recreational and sports activities.
Another benefit found through this method is improved posture. By strengthening deep core muscles that support the spine from head to tail you’ll feel taller and be better tolerant of prolonged positions, i.e. work from home couch posture.
Through this ordered series of exercises along with the breathwork specifically designed for each movement you can achieve lengthening, or stretching, of the muscles, which results in improved flexibility and movement.
Final Thoughts
So, to sum up Pilates is quite arguably the best all-around exercise, that provides mind body connection with breathwork, core strengthening, limb stretching, and focus on controlled methodical movement to achieve whole body fitness.
Whether you find yourself at a Pilates studio or a gym that offers classes, you will reap the benefits of this tried-and-true body balancing practice.
