Pilates – It Could Be For You

July 11, 2012 0 Comments

By Thomon Wardle

Joseph Pilates never had to take an aspirin and never was he injured. He was convinced that the whole world should be doing what he did right up past the age of 85 years old – Pilates exercises.

You may have heard people talking about Pilates. There are many people who practice it, and for many different reasons. You’ll find professional athletes using it for faster sports injury recovery, expectant mothers using it for flexibility and even elderly people as a non-impact exercise to keep fit.

The benefits of it are endless:

– Increased flexibility

– Pain relief

– Improved circulation

– Better posture

Joseph Pilates has certainly left a legacy with so many people taking up this exercise. What might it offer you?

Body Awareness

The focus on muscles, breathing and posture means that the brain gets trained on body awareness. You’ll find yourself getting control over your body and being highly aware of how you are standing, walking and sitting. This can help prevent injuries, but it can also give relief to those that you may already have.

Think of all the times that you sit slouched over your computer. Shoulders round, the phone pinned up to your ear with your neck bent. This kind of behavior leads to injuries. Once you become more self-aware you’ll be able to avoid the bad habits that have created pain or pulled muscles.

Body Strength

Plants cannot stand up straight without a solid foundation. They would topple over or just collapse. Human bodies are the same, without a solid foundation they aren’t as strong as they should be. They end up weak in some spots and bent over in others. Not being balanced makes us more prone to injuries and susceptible to the strains of our occupations.

Pilates can help us to build a stronger core that protects us against the physical challenges of everyday life.

Improved Body Shape

As you begin to develop body awareness, you’ll find that you stand straighter and you increase your flexibility. This will then result in an improved body shape. By practicing the exercises regularly, you will derive benefits that you may not be able to imagine now.

One way to ensure regular practice of Pilate is to practice it at home. This can be done easily by following along with a trained instructor on a DVD at home. You can then do the exercises on a schedule that suits you and you won’t have to pay out for the classes.

Body Control

Some people say that Pilates is so effective because it teaches you how to move. They say that it removes any blockages to body symmetry and your posture will be how it was designed to be. Your shoulders will be carried at the correct height for example, and this will prevent tightness from developing in them that could then go on to have an impact on other muscles, such as your neck or upper torso.

Pilates really does have a lot of benefits, and they are well worth going for.

Thomon Wardle is an experienced practitioner of yoga and pilates exercises. His range of yoga DVDs are listed and available from his site http://www.getfitwithpilates.com where you can also download a free eBook worth £9.95

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