Fun fact: I actually love Pilates
More Than A Workout: The Mental Benefits Of Pilates Practice
When life is fast-paced and deadlines pile up in quick succession, it can be challenging to find time to take care of our physical health and mental well-being. What if you could spend anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour per day doing an activity that helps you stay fit and boosts your mental health? Pilates stands out from other forms of fitness because of the mental benefits you get, in addition to physical benefits.
What Is Pilates?
Pilates is a system of exercise developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. Originally called Contrology, this system helps you increase strength, flexibility, body awareness, coordination and balance. In the last several decades, Pilates has gained popularity due its ability to improve posture, relieve back pain, and boost athletic performance. Pilates has been used by professional dancers and competitive athletes as a warmup and recovery method. Musicians often choose Pilates because of the unique way in which it builds muscle tone without creating excess tension, which gets in the way of producing a beautiful tone.
Five Mental Benefits Of Pilates
1. Stress Reduction
One of the key mental benefits of Pilates is its ability to reduce stress. The focus on breathing and controlled movements helps to calm the mind and promote better rest. This can be especially beneficial in today’s high-stress world, where many of us are constantly juggling work, family, and other responsibilities. Stress reduction allows for the body to recover after vigorous workouts and high-intensity moments at school, at work, and in life.
2. Increased Mind-Body Connection
The Pilates method relies on the mind-body connection, encouraging you to be fully present in your movements. Pilates exercises, when done correctly, require you to stay connected, engaged and focused. Taking your body awareness to this heightened level improves mental clarity, concentration and focus.
3. Boosted Mood
Pilates workouts have been shown to release endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. This can lead to an improved mood and a sense of well-being. In fact, many people report feeling happier and more positive after a Pilates session. Given the fact that chronic back pain can lead to depression, it stands to reason that moving the spine would have the opposite effect. Spinal mobility allows you to stand taller, which decompresses the spine and makes you feel younger as a result.
4. Enhanced Cognitive Function
The varied and controlled movements of a Pilates workout are good for both the body and the mind. The focus and concentration required during a Pilates session positively impact your cognitive function. The challenge of activating smaller supporting muscles deepens your body awareness and stimulates neural pathways in new ways. At the same time, the classical Pilates order jogs your memory and taps into your problem-solving skills, both of which improve overall cognitive function over time. A challenging workout can make you really sweat, which is beneficial for maintaining optimal brain health.
5. Improved Self-Esteem
As you build your Pilates practice to strengthen and tone your body, you experience a boost in self-esteem and self-confidence. Feeling stronger and more capable in your body can influence your outlook on life. Overcoming challenges as you progress along your Pilates journey will help you trust your own body. This in turn improves your self-esteem, making Pilates a real mind-body boost.
Give Pilates A Try!
Have you been thinking about starting Pilates? Try an Intro Special at Explore Pilates to see what a personally tailored workout feels like. Don’t want to be the only one? Sign up with a friend or two for semi-private lessons or classes!
Got any questions? Feel free to send them my way.
Have a wonderful rest of your week!
Anita.
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