Pilates is a type of exercise which helps lengthen – as well as strengthen the muscles in the body while at the same time creating mobility and flexibility. In fact, Pilates exercise has several physical health benefits which include:
- Spinal realignment/posture correction,
- Improvement of flexibility,
- Correcting movement patterns,
- Improvement in balance, and
- Improves coordination.
Did you know that there is a lot more to Pilates than physical benefits? It can also help improve your mental health providing stress management, memory improvement, and relaxation to those who regularly practice Pilates.
Pilates Increases Energy
By concentrating on breath, Pilates improves cardiorespiratory capacity. This stimulates feel-good hormones, oxygen flow as week as blood circulation. Pilates achieves all of this and, owing to its low-impact nature, rarely leaves you feeling fatigued. Rather, it gives you a boost of energy.
Pilates Boosts Your Memory And Makes You Smarter
Starting in our late 20s most of us begin losing about 1% of the volume of our hippocampus, which is a portion of the brain that is responsible for memory as we;; as cognitive function. Our brains are literally shrinking.
For a long time scientists were of the opinion that we are born with a particular number of brain cells however recently they discovered that our brains could create new cells so slowing down or reversing brain reduction. What will it mean to you? It means improved memory, lower risks of Alzheimer’s disease, improved learning in addition to problem solving, a higher IQ and more.
Mindfulness Through Breathing
One of the main core supporters of our body is the diaphragm. During Pilates, particular focus is given to breathing well and giving movement the opportunity to follow the breath. This allows the Pilates practitioner to move with intention and pay attention to posture as well as the movements. Through focusing on breath and movement you are concentrating on the present and allowing your mind a chance to rest.
Developing the habit of mindful, deep breathing is a technique which can very easily follow you out of the studio to make use of in times when life is hectic. Utilising this technique during moments of stress can bring a sense of calm and assist you with focusing on the present.
It Enhances Body Awareness
Pilates is a mind-body practice which enhances proprioception, or body awareness. The attention inward – as well as the ability to concentrate on the sensations in your body – heightens your awareness of comfort or pain, your emotions as well as your surrounding environment.
With improved proprioception, your body is better able to respond to stimulus, which could prevent injuries and falls. Better body awareness may even assist you with preventing overeating, as you’ll be more in tune with your body’s hunger signals.
Pilates Reduces Stress Tension In Our Body
You have perhaps heard about the famous “fight-or-flight” response to situations which are stressful. When faced with a stressful situation (real, like almost getting in a car accident or imaginative, such as fear of public speaking) our body releases a wave of stress hormones in order to ready our body to fight or flee.
In situations which are stressful, our bodies are ready to move at its peak performance however in most modern-day scenarios we aren’t able to run away when stuck in a traffic jam and aren’t able to pick a fight with our boss. Physical activity should metabolise the build-up of stress hormones however we rather try to keep everything inside and work our way through it.
The result? Stress hormones becomes settled in our body causing hypertension, muscle spasms as well as pain.
Pilates alleviates tension which is built up in the muscles through gentle stretching as well as gradual conditioning. An energetic Jumpboard workout will allow you to metabolise stress hormones which are built up in your muscles. Fascial release techniques which many Pilates instructors utilise in their classes today will assist you with loosening tight muscles which are not responsive to passive stretching. When you get stress out of your body, you also get it out of your mind.
Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy
Are you keen on becoming a Pilates instructor? If you do then you need to do our Pilates Instructor Course. Follow this link for more information.
