When I first started exercising pilates was the first class I tried and I really loved it. It made exercise seem so much more fun than just running on a treadmill and I loved that it was working all the muscles in my body. One of the most inspiring pilates teachers I’ve met has been Lottie Murphy, she’s pretty incredible and she’s just in the most amazing shape! So I thought I’d ask her to tell you all a little more about pilates and why it’s so wonderful… Over the Lottie!
Just as fad diets come and go so do exercise trends. Even though Pilates is the new kid on the block, in comparison to yoga, it is here to stay and everyone and anyone should be doing it. Joe Pilates created the method in 1920s rehabilitating soldiers returning from the war. Joe once said, “the first requisite of happiness is a healthy body”. I believe movement really does equal happiness and from a holistic point of view ideally we want to be moving in a way that is kind to our bodies, functional and free of pain. Pilates is the perfect kind of movement.
As a Pilates Instructor I get asked a lot of the time the same kinds of questions such as so what actually is Pilates? Do I need to be flexible? Isn’t it just all about core strength? In this Pilates focused post I am going to share with you what Pilates is all about and why you should make it part of your life forever.
What is Pilates? There isn’t a perfect answer to this question as there’s so much to say about it. Pilates does it all, it does what your run, bootcamp class, yoga session, weight training doesn’t. Pilates can make you sweat and shake in one session. It’s your strength training and it’s your flexibility training. Not only will it improve your mobility and muscle tone, Pilates trains your coordination, balance and posture. It’s also a mental workout. It requires intense focus and concentration to execute the movements technically and with control. This mental focus on your body leaves you free of stress, making Pilates a complete combination of mind, body and spirit. Oh and it leaves you feeling and looking pretty fabulous!
Personally, I can’t imagine not doing Pilates. It’s taught me to breathe properly which can honestly change your life. It keeps my joints and back free from any pain. Low back pain is becoming an epidemic due to our desk bound lifestyles. Aesthetically, it has helped me keep a lean dancer physique even though I haven’t danced for 3 years. If you practice Pilates regularly- you will change your body! Pilates keeps me strong. This strength is different to the strength you would gain at the gym lifting weights. You might not get bulging biceps but you will be able to hold a plank longer than you ever thought you could. We actually lose a percentage of our muscle mass every year we age so Pilates is a great form of exercise to keep you healthy throughout your entire life.
Pilates will add value to your life. If you’re a newbie or even if you regularly attend, I have some top tips to make your Pilates workout even more beneficial!
Lottie’s Top Pilates Tips
- Start position. To get the most from every exercise make sure you take the time to set up properly. The start position is vital to doing the exercise correctly. Make sure you are correctly aligned, using your breath and tummy and focused on what you need to do before starting each new exercise.
- Be patient. Results from Pilates come when you work consistently not overnight.
- Be present. Try to be fully present and focus on what your aiming to get from each exercise, whether it is engaging a particular muscle or making your spine longer. The mind is very powerful.
- Slow down. Pilates is controlled flowing movement and isn’t supposed to be rushed. Fast doesn’t mean harder work, sometimes the slower you go the harder it is. The Pilates method was originally named Contrology (the study of control).
- Find a fabulous teacher for you! The perfect teacher for you might be different to the perfect teacher for your best friend. There are lots of different styles and approaches to Pilates and even your teacher’s voice can make a difference. You need to look forward to your Pilates and be able to connect to your instructor. Try different classes and instructors to figure out what you love.
from Deliciously Ella http://deliciouslyella.com/fitness-the-benefits-of-pilatess/
via Free Spiritual Marketing
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