Have you always wanted to try Pilates but felt a little intimidated or unsure? Well, it does look intimidating, but it starts seeming easier once you get into it. Pilates has been around for more than a hundred years. It has always stayed in style and in fact, becoming more popular.

Pilates, in simple terms, is a way of life. It enhances your lifestyle and supports your daily activities. Hence, it is crucial that everything you learn on the mat, you take off of it too. If you are still unsure why it is a way of life, it’s time to scroll and read further!

What Is Pilates?

The word Pilates comes from its creator, Joseph Pilates, who was a German physical trainer. Pilates is a low-impact exercise that strengthens the muscles of your body and improves flexibility and posture. It is an exercise that develops your body through muscular effort stemming from your core. It targets the following powerhouse muscles of your body:

1. Glutes
2. Hips
3. Pelvic floor
4. Back
5. Abdominal muscles

So, if you have arthritis or lower back pain, Pilates can help you in a way you didn’t know. If you do Pilates regularly, you can prevent yourself from getting injured. While you got an answer to what Pilates is, there is one thing you need to know. Why is Pilates a way of life? Let’s find out!

Principles of Pilates

Pilates is a lot more than exercise. Here are the six Principles of Pilates that will help you understand why Pilates is a way of life:

Centering

Practicing centering brings your awareness to the center of your body. It protects your lower back and supports slow and fast body movements. The center of the core powers all the Pilates exercises you do.

Concentration

Distractions around you are more than you can count. They make it hard to concentrate consciously. Pilates will help you focus on every movement you make such that it is controlled consciously by your mind. It helps you in engaging the correct muscles that support the action.

Control

Pilates is not necessarily slow but has controlled movements that help you develop physical and mental control.

Precision

You perform a whole sequence of movements precisely. This precision helps you place each body part appropriately while focusing on your core’s engagement and alignment.

Flow

Pilates is a continuous cycle of movements that flow smoothly. It is not rigid. The idea is to connect every part of your body to move in a single fluid motion.

Breathing

Joseph Pilates advocated using the lungs to pump the air fully in and out of the body. It nourishes your body with fresh oxygen. Utilizing breathing in any situation helps you concentrate, center, and calm your nervous system.

Benefits of Pilates

Here are a few health benefits of Pilates:

1. It improves your flexibility and posture.
2. It increases the strength of your muscles and tones them.
3. It balances the muscular strength on both sides of your body.
4. It enhances the muscular control of your limbs and back.
5. It stabilizes your spine.
6. It helps you recover or prevent any injuries due to muscle imbalance.
7. It improves your concentration.
8. It increases the awareness of your body.

The Bottom Line

Pilates could be a great addition and a well-balanced exercise not just for you but for your entire family. The best part is you can get introduced to it at home virtually!

Still unsure how to begin? You take your first step with Pilates Lifetime. Book your first free trial and if you enjoy it, be a part of the virtual mat class or take a private session in the studio.