A method that provides strength, flexibility, muscle enrichment, and body awareness.
With the arrival of summer, Pilates stands out as one of the most comprehensive activities to get the body in shape and the mind balanced. It is based on the conscious control of all muscle movements and a system of exercises that coordinate movement and breathing.
Developed by the German Joseph Pilates, the exercises are influenced by practices like Hatha Yoga. By integrating mind and body, excellent results are achieved. Both in Pilates and Yoga, concentration, awareness, self-confidence, breathing, and stretching are emphasized. “It is the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit,” defines Joseph Pilates.
According to Colleen Craig, author of The Pilates Method, the exercises are effective in strengthening the abdominal muscles, providing support for the human body. They help alleviate spinal overload, reduce pain, and work on strength and balance between the abdominal muscles and the limbs, improving posture.
Pilates can be practiced using a ball, allowing participants to stretch easily while maintaining balance according to the necessary load, measured by the student and instructor.
According to Andrea Debossan, a Prana and Yoga instructor, “an important factor in Pilates is the improvement of respiratory capacity, which increases blood circulation and the development of a strong abdominal musculature.”
Pilates can be practiced every day, at least twice a week, and helps improve quality of life by enhancing the practitioners’ body and mental awareness.
Benefits of Pilates:
Increased strength
Greater muscle control
Integration of body and mind
Increased respiratory capacity
Enhanced flexibility
Muscle strengthening
Posture reeducation
Body structuring
Injury prevention
Connection to body awareness
Improved self-esteem
Relief of muscle pain
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