The trendy workout that doesn’t fit into any category. 😄
Who created Pilates?
Pilates was created in the early XXᵉ century by Joseph Pilates.
As a fragile child, he quickly turned his attention to methods of strengthening his body.
His health improved, and he took the opportunity to practice many sports.
Interned in a detention camp during the First World War, he developed the foundations of his method by becoming a coach for other prisoners.
He then emigrated to New York, where he opened his studio, which was popular with injured dancers and athletes.
Joseph Pilates was one of the first to emphasize the importance of the core muscles.
What is the purpose of Pilates?
The goals are:
- Improve and maintain health.
- Regain a healthy posture and proper alignment.
- Strengthen all the muscles of the body.
- Gain balance, strength and flexibility.
- Become aware of the body.
- Rehabilitate after an injury.
- Feel better in general.
3 areas are particularly targeted:
- Shoulders.
- Perineum.
- Belly.
Pilates is not intended to be a sport. It is rather a postural hygiene.
How does a session work?
Sessions can be group or individual.
The instructor defines a session plan, which varies with each class.
The Pilates method combines several hundred movements.
However, it is not the quantity of exercises that matters, but the precision.
The postures can be difficult to hold, as they stretch the body deeply and call upon forgotten muscles.
Machines or tools are used, such as
- Mats.
- Reformer.
- Elastic bands.
- Balls.
Who can do Pilates?
This gentle exercise is suitable for everyone, including people with limited mobility.
It is a welcome addition to the body, even in good health.
Pilates is recommended for people who work in a seated position, as well as for athletes as a complement to :
- Bodybuilding.
- CrossFit or functional training.
- Running.
- Team sports.
Online Pilates
Face-to-face Pilates is recommended, rather than online.
The great advantage of the method is to have a certified instructor nearby who ensures the accuracy of the postures performed.
He or she is responsible for defining movements that are compatible with the health of the participants.
Benefits
If Pilates is becoming more and more popular, it is because it has many benefits.
By balancing the posture, some physical problems disappear.
Pilates classes have shown promising results for :
- Back pain.
- Joint pain.
- Sciatica.
- Scoliosis.
- Tendinitis.
- Lumbago.
- Lodge syndrome.
- Cyphosis.
- Neck pain.
- Athletic pubalgia.
Emotions
Postural disorders are mainly caused by deep emotional wounds.
For a lasting improvement, it is advisable to combine postural re-education and emotional therapy.
I discover how to manage my emotions.
Conclusion
What are the benefits of Pilates?
Mainly a profound work on posture.
The method is exclusively physical. An energetic practice is recommended in parallel, such as Qi Gong, as well as an emotional practice.
