Knowing Pilates

By Angela Winter


A type of exercise developed by Joseph Pilates of Germany, Pilates is being practiced by a lot of people already. It is also known as one of the most widely-practiced type of exercise. The main focus of this type of exercise is balanced development of the body that can be attained through core strength, awareness and flexibility and body conditioning. If done appropriately and regularly, Pilates can give a lot of benefits to the body.

Effects of Pilates to the body:

1. Pilates helps in toning the body and enhance its overall flexibility. But unlike other forms of exercises, Pilates is not focused on using weight lifting exercises to tone the muscles of the body. Instead, it makes use of other different apparatuses to achieve this goal.

2. Developing muscle strength and agility is another effect of Pilates on the one's body. These characteristics or development that is achieved when practicing Pilates is important for a person to do activities that needs the use of muscle strength and agility.

3. Prevention from injuries and practicing the appropriate use of proper body mechanics and proper posture is another effect of Pilates.

4. Improved breathing efficiency and healthier lungs and heart functions is one of the many benefits that you can get in doing Pilates.

5. Practicing Pilates can also help in a person's rehabilitation and recovery from injuries.

6. For people that is suffering from chronic pains, practicing may help alleviate their experience of pain in effect they experience improved quality of life.

To attain the benefits that you want for your body when doing Pilates exercise, it is essential to do it properly and appropriately. Another factor that plays a major role in the success of your Pilates exercise is Body discipline. It is also advisable to seek help and guidance from a Pilates expert if you want to start doing Pilates exercises. That way you will be sure to do the exercise properly and use all the Pilates equipment effectively. Unlike any other forms of exercise, Pilates can be done by pregnant women but with the approval of their physician and should be performed with the guidance of a Pilates expert or trainer.

Philip Friedman and Gail Eisen, two students was able to outline the six principles of Pilates exercise. These are the six principles of Pilates:

1. Centering-the center is the starting place in which an individual should have to achieve body control. This is central point in the method of Pilates.

2. Control-Pilates method of exercise also emphasizes the importance of gaining control over your own body, mainly muscle control. A person wanting to do Pilates should be focused in doing it properly to achieve the goal of having control in every aspects of the exercise.

3. The third principle of Pilates is Flow which is also known as moving with efficiency. This principle of the Pilates exercise is focused on attaining a well-coordinated movement of the body which may be attained if a person has proper flow of exercises. In effect, the body will have increased stamina and become stronger because of the body precision that you have gained by doing the Pilates exercises making the principle of flow as your guideline.

4. Breathing-this is one of the most important principle in Pilates. Once a person is practicing Pilates appropriately, breathing pattern is expected to improve and will improve oxygenation on the body.

5. Precision is the fifth principle of Pilates. In this principle, what is emphasized is doing the exercises with 100% accuracy. By doing so, people doing Pilates exercise appropriately will get the maximum benefits that Pilates has to offer.

6. Concentration is the last principle of Pilates. This principle is emphasized since doing Pilates involves understanding your own body by concentrating and focusing on what part of the body needs more improvement.

Same with the different kinds of exercises, practicing Pilates appropriately is very essential for a person to achieve the goals that they have set for themselves. Other than that, these principles of Pilates are important guidelines for individuals doing Pilates for them to attain the benefits that the exercise has to offer. Aside from doing the exercise and making these principles as guidelines, it is also advisable to seek help of a Pilates expert especially if you are a beginner.




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