Wednesday 26 June 2013

Pilates-What Is This?

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.

What can Pilates do to your body?

1. Toning and enhancing the body's overall flexibility is one effect that Pilates has on your body. Unlike many forms of exercise, Pilates does not make use of weights and weight lifting exercises to tone the muscles, it uses many other kinds of materials and equipment instead to attain this goal.

2. Pilates also helps in developing agility and muscle strength which is important for a person to perform the activities that are expected for them to do.

3. This kind of exercise also aids in preventing injuries and promotes proper use of body mechanics and correct posture.

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

5. Rehabilitation and recovery from injuries is also one of the benefits an individual can get from doing Pilates.

6. When done properly, it might also lessen some chronic pains that most people are suffering from. Meaning one can enjoy 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.

Now there are 6 important principles of Pilates as outlined by two students, Philip Friedman and Gail Eisen. These principles are as follows:

1. The first principle is Centering which id the starting point for an individual to attain control over his/her own body.This is the method of Pilates also known as Central point.

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. Flow or moving with efficiency-One goal to be achieved when doing the Pilates exercise is to attain the proper flow of exercises in a way that the movement of the body should be well-coordinated. In this way, body precision will be achieved resulting in increased stamina and stronger body.

4. The fourth principle of Pilates is breathing. Considered as one of the most important principles of Pilates, once a person starts to do Pilates exercise improve oxygenation and improved breathing pattern is expected to be a result.

5.The fifth principle of Pilates is Precision. This is mainly defined as having people who perform Pilates do the exercises with 100 accuracy to ensure that the benefits of doing the exercise will be maximized.

6. Concentration-extreme focus is also one important principle in Pilates exercise. An individual practicing Pilates need to fully concentrate on their body while doing the exercise to achieve smooth transition of movements.

Doing the Pilates exercise appropriately is of high-importance to ensure that you will be able to reach that you have set for yourself. The six principles of Pilates are important guidelines that should be followed for individuals to attain the benefits of doing the exercise. Another thing that an individual must remember to do is to ask the help and guidance of Pilates experts and trainers especially for beginners for them to be able to make use of the tools and do the exercise properly.




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