What is Pilates?
We ask ourselves the question – does Pilates really work? And why Pilates, if at all? Pilates is not a trend or new-fangled word that is bandied about in the modern-day Oxford Dictionary; neither is it a quick-fix way to lose weight, tighten up the flabs that many South Africans seem to sport these days. Pilates has become (and should be) an integral part of everyone’s daily lives, high up on the bucket list together with other dreams and aspirations. Why, then, not make Pilates your number one love in order to start loving yourself?
10 Benefits of Pilates
A refreshing mind-body workout which emphasizes proper breathing, correct spinal and pelvic alignment as well as a focused concentration on smooth flowing movement. You will become a master of your own body.
- Pilates is a whole body fitness regime
- It is adaptable to all fitness levels and needs
- Focus on strengthening and lengthening muscles without creating bulk
- Increases flexibility
- Develops core strength
- Increased awareness of correct posture and alignment
- Restoring your body’s natural movement
- Rehabilitate injuries & prevent further injury
- Improve agility with age
- Excellent compliment to cross training disciplines
Pilates also provides many more specific benefits for differing populations including improvement to pelvic floor function, bone density improvement and lung capacity/breathing technique improvement among many others.
Why you should do Pilates
- A fun, mind-body workout that is challenging and motivating
- It enhances all areas of your life
- As part of sport training or cross training
- To prevent injuries
- Exercising with precise and correct technique
- Making sure you live life with excellent posture
According to the experts, this is why Pilates turns losers into winners:
“Doctors and physiotherapists believe that repeated use of joints or muscles in an incorrect or poor position can exacerbate injury if it is already there, or cause an injury if it has not reared its ugly head as yet. Therefore, good posture and excellent alignment of the body is imperative. It is advisable to always see a physio or doctor if you have an existing back or neck issue, and together with professional Pilates instruction, your problems should either be greatly alleviated or at worse, minimised.”
“Dancers are of the belief that all dancers should participate in Pilates classes along with their dance lessons as this will automatically develop their core muscles and correct their posture, as is the norm with ballet dancers in the US.”
“Chiropractors, on the other hand, feel that posture should be one of the most important aspects of an individual’s daily life, furthermore combined with an excellent eating regime as well as regular exercise together with good sleeping patterns can and will decrease health issues and problem areas.”
“Pilates, needless to say, is a brilliant way forward which has been recommended by chiropractors.”
Joseph Pilates
- Developed by the genius, Joseph Pilates, this method has been in existence for over 90 years. He created a series of exercises designed to create a strong, flexible and adaptable body.
- Joseph Pilates principles lie in his exercises, which focuses the mind to the body, creating controlled, and precise movement; this is the only way to progression and success.
- The Pilates syllabus can be very challenging to “normal” bodies, as it was designed for elite athletes. We at My Pilates will ensure that you understand exactly what you are doing while you are performing and gradually, at your own pace, we will move you from a beginners level to an advanced level. By understanding the principles of Pilates and by performing the exercises the benefits of Pilates are vast…