Functional Fitness Through Pilates
| Kristen Mosier, Certified Stott Palites Instructor
Ten years ago only about 5,000 Americans were engaging in Pilates (pih-LAH-teez), and fewer even knew how to pronounce the word. What was once a well-kept secret of dancers and celebrities is now reaching the masses. Today, more then five million Americans are experiencing the benefits of the Pilates regimen. Why has an exercise form that originated nearly a century ago become a great interest in American society in recent years? In a time where physical activity is on a decline, and is often replaced by hours in front of computers or long commutes in cars, people need functional exercise they can carry over into their daily lives.
The Pilates method is a mind-body exercise designed to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body. With an emphasis on breath, core conditioning, and proper alignment, Pilates is a fitness routine for a lifetime that will leave you looking toned, feeling revitalized, and moving with ease. Rather then isolating muscle groups, the whole body is trained, integrating the upper and lower extremities with the trunk. Exercises can be done on a mat or with the use of small equipment such as bands, rings, or balls, and specialized equipment such as the Reformer. This holistic program resembles how the body naturally progresses through movement on a daily basis. Trainers and instructors in all fields are realizing that without correct posture, their clients cannot receive the full benefit from exercise. Pilates helps to restore the natural curves of the spine in order to correct one’s posture, reducing tension, pain, and the risk of injury. When exercising without making sure the body is aligned, people risk strengthening muscles that maintain bad form. This in effect reinforces problems and raises their chances of developing joint and muscle pain. Too often beginners to the Pilates method take a class in a large room where they try to manipulate their body through positions, barely able to see the instructor, let alone receive any personal feedback. As a result they end up feeling confused, discouraged, and in pain. The exact opposite of what Pilates aims to achieve. Working with a certified Pilates instructor in smaller classes, or through private sessions will allow one to safely and effectively progress through the exercises, while bringing the body back to a more efficient alignment. As you begin concentrating on your posture and mastering exercises through Pilates, you will not only experience the benefits, but will find yourself applying the functional principles learned in the simplest daily activities. For instance you may begin to keep your abs tight and shoulders back while driving, stand up straighter at the copier elongating your waist and neck, or utilize your buttocks and lower abs while picking up your baby. Becoming more conscious of your posture and how the body works will help you think of your fitness routine not as a once-a-day task, but a way to move through the world. Like most things in life, the more you do it, the more it becomes natural. |
