3 Reasons Why Pilates is the Core of a Happy Life
Pilates is famous for being a great core workout. But what does that really mean?
1) Total Body Conditioning
Efficiently Build Strength and Flexibility at the Same Time
Pilates is a total body conditioning system of exercises. It promotes strength, flexibility and coordination. The combination of these elements will lead to muscle efficiency - strength gives you power and flexibility gives you access to that muscle's full range of motion.
Pilates can be done with specially designed pilates machines. Think of it as a combination between weights and yoga. Typically machine sessions are conducted one-on-one in a private trainer session. Students train one to three times a week. I've seen amazing results happen with three sessions a week but it depends on the individual's goals and existing level of fitness.
Pilates can also be done on a mat in a group setting, much like a yoga class. You use your own body for resistance and sometimes incorporate small props like bands and balls. Pilates mat exercises were originally intended to be the most challenging in the pilates repertoire, with the machine sessions helping to work you up to the mat technique.
On a practical level, I find clients usually feel more challenged on the machines. But again it depends on an individual's goals, existing level of fitness and preference of exercise environment. Some people just like the focused intensity of working with a private instructor; some prefer the incentive of keeping up with a group. I think as long as you are motivated to stay with a program that inspires and challenges you, either option is great.
2) Mind-Body Coordination
Move Through Life the Way You Want To
What makes a dancer worth watching? What makes a gold medal swimmer take your breath away as they plow through the water? Without coordination and a deep mind-body connection to command their movements, they would just be buff people flailing about.
Rarely do people come to me looking for "coordination." They want to be lean, strong and sexy, sometimes they want good posture, but "coordination" simply doesn't make the top of the list. It's a rather un-sexy word for something that is crucial to your performance as an athlete. (When you work with me, I will consider you an athlete, whatever your fitness level. It puts both of us in the right frame of mind to focus on body performance, not aesthetics.)
3) Core Strength
Do Everything Better. (Yes, that too. )
Now we get to the heart of the matter. Core strength is one of the main principles of pilates, and the piece for which it most well-known. Celebrities credit pilates for their trim waistlines and flat abdominals. But you know what else your core can do besides look nice in a bikini? Everything.
Every single motion you can produce with your body, with the possible exception of chewing, can be supported by your core. There is not one activity in life that won't get a powerful boost if you have a strong core and control over that power.
You don't have to choose between your favorite sport and pilates. With regular pilates practice, you become a more powerful runner, weight-lifter, skiier, dancer, biker, swimmer or surfer. Pilates becomes the foundation for everything in your life that you want to perform with energy, power and grace.
By the way, that is why I teach pilates. I frankly don't care if you think your a-- is too big or your thighs are too wide. If you break a bone or end up in the hospital, involuntarily sidelined from life, you won't care either. All you'll want is a strong body that functions the way it's supposed to to get you through life.
The first prerequisite of a happy life is the health of your body and mind. Everything else is gravy. And if the core of a happy life is health, then pilates is the core of your healthful activities.