Pilates 101: What It Is and Health Benefits

While not a high-intensity workout, Pilates gets the heart pumping, and combines strength and resistance training with deep stretching. Think of Pilates as complementing — not replacing — any mental health support you’re already receiving.

What is Pilates?

Pilates is first and foremost the surname name of the founder Joseph Pilates.  Early on in the 20th century Joseph Pilates, developed his method of body and mind conditioning, strength training focus to improving muscle tone than build muscles, and enhance stability and endurance.  The goal is to cultivate a strong and leaner muscle, not bulk. The Pilates method uses 6 principles as a guide for practice. These include: concentration on each movement, use of the abdomen and low back muscles, flowing, precise movement patterns and controlled breathing.

Health benefits: Core strength. Most people consider their abdomen to be the core of their body. It is better to think in terms of the entire trunk. What happens in your core affects the rest of your body.  Posture Having a strong, aligned core makes it easier to have good posture.  

Flexibility.  Flexibility helps muscles relax and retain both mobility and range of motion.

Balance and coordination.  All starts at the Core. Weakness and/or out of alignment, makes it harder to find the center of gravity. As balance and coordination improve, so does proprioception (spatial awareness). The result is more effective, balanced movement and a reduced risk of falls or other accidents.

Body awareness.  Like meditation and yoga, focusing on the body, the movements and breathing is central to Pilates. Understanding and using specific muscles helps understand the signals your body sends every day. Breath control.  Like yoga and many other mindfulness practices, Pilates is as much about intentional breathing as it is about the body. Being aware of and controlling the  breath allows to deepen a stretch or perform at a higher level — research shows it can also reduce stress. If you allow the breath coaching you get in a Pilates class to spill over into your daily life, you may find yourself better able to handle difficult situations and emotions.