Why Pilates? Insights from a Strength Training, Spartan Running Personal Trainer

I’m new to the world of Pilates. I just found it 4 months ago when I knew that my body needed more than strength workouts to create balance and more uniformity in my strength. Due to overuse of my upper trapezoids (neck and shoulders), I was beginning to experience chronic neck and shoulder pain. I’m prone to headaches and migraines so an aching neck and shoulders wasn’t helping with managing headaches. I became a certified personal trainer 9 months ago and subscribe to a few fitness journals. I kept reading about mind-body work such as Pilates and soon realized that I needed to check it out. I found Claire at The Mindful Bodi Movement Center through a mutual acquaintance and soon fell in love with practicing Pilates. I needed to know more, learn more, and practice it more! Where had it been all my life?
Why should YOU practice Pilates?

First, your body was created and designed to be mobile. We have become quite a sedentary people and it’s not helpful to our overall health. Being sedentary is a risk factor for poor health. Some research scientists and medical professionals have labeled a sedentary lifestyle as the new obesity. Practicing Pilates can help you find movement that will translate into being able to more easily perform your activities of daily living. From carrying in your groceries to sweeping the floor to picking up your toddler, your body will be better able to perform these activities because you will have more strength, more flexibility, improved balance, and improved coordination.

Do you already exercise regularly?

Maybe you walk, run, swim, or lift weights. Maybe you’re like me and you’re doing all of that. I bet something is tight. Tight hamstrings and hips are common in runners. A muscle imbalance somewhere in the body is common in guys and gals who weight train. Guess what? Practicing Pilates will increase your flexibility from head to toe. You will find your muscle imbalances while practicing Pilates and your body will develop a more uniform strength.

Are you injured? Do you have a neurological disorder? Are you pregnant? Scoliosis? You can still learn to practice Pilates! Pilates is safe (when working with a trained instructor), low impact, and appropriate for all ages. Pilates instructors are trained to work with your body and most any issue your body may have. I realize I’m still new but I already know how much better I feel after practicing Pilates for a few months.

I have begun Pilates instructor training because it is a complimentary exercise system that can benefit anyone. Learning the Pilates method is allowing me to better understand my own body and the bodies of my personal training clients. From my own experiences, I have learned that it is wise to be your own advocate regarding your health. Learn, read, exercise, eat healthy, and ask questions. To know how to advocate for your personal health, you will need to know your body.

Pilates will teach your mind to be connected to your body and you will better know what it needs and doesn’t need. Have I connected with you yet? I hope so but if I haven’t, please contact us with your questions so we can learn more about you and what your body needs.

“Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure. To achieve the highest accomplishments within the scope of our capabilities in all walks of life, we must constantly strive to acquire strong, healthy bodies and develop our minds to the limit of our ability.” ~Joseph Hubertus Pilates~

Blog Post Contributed by Ruth Edwards.

Ruth Edwards

Ruth has fallen in love with the pilates method and has become a regular in the studio. Dedicated to practicing and learning more, Ruth is on her way to earning her comprehensive teacher certification. Already trained in mat work she will be hosting a 4 week Pilates Mat Foundations Series Class in January 2017. Contact the studio to learn more and sign up.

1 Comment

  1. I like that you state that you can still practice pilates while you are injured. My sister recently got out of a short stay at the hospital and wants to start getting back into shape in the best way she can find. I will send her this information so she can look into an exercise physio treatment option in pilates.

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