What is Pilates?
Pilates is a low impact exercise, which helps strengthen muscles while improving flexibility and postural alignment. It helps strengthen and stabilize your muscles in achievable ways in which you can experience significant progress. People mostly identify Pilates with targeting your core. While this is true, Pilates can be a full body workout as well. It is truly a magical balance in both strengthening and stabilizing small and large muscle groups. Win-win!
There are a variety of ways to do Pilates:
· On the floor exercises (mat only)
· With props (Magic Circle, Pinky Ball, Foam Roller, etc.)
· Using equipment or machines (Reformer, Chairs, Cadillac, etc.)
· Cardio through jump board or circuit classes
No matter which style you choose or prefer, you can expect the moves or exercises to be intentional with precise movements, breath, and control.
If you’ve never done Pilates, the one thing I can attest to is it compliments any other fitness regimen and/or activities you may love. You can simply do Pilates, or you can enhance your fitness goal by adding Pilates to your current routine. You will find the strongest version of yourself inside and out.
Did you know? Pilates is safe enough to do every day.
It gives you awareness and the opportunity to redefine patterns in your body for daily activities. We all have habits where we may sway our backs or slouch often, we may put too much weight in one side of our body, or we don’t have even strength in both legs. One revelation Pilates gives every individual – its ability to highlight those weaknesses as well as the strength in your body! Because of this awareness, it gives you a chance to realign your strengths. Pilates can be a meditative way of moving which works from the inside out.
Best of all… you don’t have to look a certain way to do Pilates! You don’t have to be an athlete or a dancer. You don’t even need experience. Pilates is for everyone, regardless of gender, age, race, size, ability, or current fitness level. Pilates is welcoming for everyone to enjoy its benefits. It is for everyone, and Everybody belongs.
