Pilates, Beneficial For Mind, Body And Soul

Everyone knows how important it is to take care of your body. There are many things that you can do to put yourself and your health first. Almost everybody has heard of the basics; drinking lots of water, staying active, eating a wide variety of nutritious foods and staying away from bad habits like drinking and smoking. One of the things you may not have tried yet that can be very beneficial for your body is pilates.

The Pilates exercise system was developed in the 1920′s by a German born man named Joseph Pilates. Joseph had endured a sickly childhood and was determined to find a way to improve his health and to strengthen his own body. He had acquired a background in many ancient fitness techniques such as Zen meditation, martial arts and yoga. He had also spent some time doing boxing, diving and gymnastics. He ended up devising a system that worked both the mind and the muscle in harmony by using a unique sequence of movements. During the First World War, he interned in England, working at an infirmary. It was at this time that Joseph was able to fine tune his wellness regimen. After the war was over, he and his wife moved to New York and opened up their very own studio which was close to the New York City Ballet. The dancers took to it immediately because of its health benefits and he had an instant following. Pilates, however, did not become mainstream until the 1990s when baby boomers were looking for a more gentle path to health and wellness. The mind-body fitness movement was taking off and pilates was at the helm.

Pilates has become incredibly popular because it is able to provide benefits that you just can’t get with traditional strength training and aerobics. It is able to give you a long, lean look without having bulky muscles but still having lots of strength. It has the ability to increase the strength of stabilizer muscles that aren’t commonly worked out in a standard exercise program. It also stresses the use of fluid and graceful movements which can help you get a better sense of the kinesthetics of your body.

Pilates has been shown to increase flexibility and core strength, both of which can benefit anyone tremendously. It can cut down on back and joint pain and help prevent you from getting future injuries. Pilates doesn’t just help you tone your body. It helps your spirit and mind as well. It engages the mind and makes you more aware of your body. The focus you put on your movements and breathing can be very relaxing. All of these things can help reduce stress, anxiety and even help to lift depression.

Pilates has been around for almost one hundred years and it is easy to see why. It has become a phenomenon because of all the benefits it offers for body, mind and soul. If you’re looking for something new and beneficial for your health, then give pilates a try.

Author Bio: Saharra White-Kalyesubula is a mom blogger based in Los Angeles, California. She has several years experience writing about health and beauty topics. Her work can be read on the Daily Glow and Yahoo.

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