| Pilates is the exercise of choice for dancers, | | | | pilates, adding to the numerous list of benefits |
| gymnasts, and a host of famous Hollywood | | | | that one can attain through regular use of the |
| celebrities, and now it finds itself firmly entrenched | | | | exercise program. 5. Prevents You from Future |
| in the mainstream. So why is pilates so hot? | | | | Injuries Pilates strengthens your body and helps |
| Pilates incredible popularity can be traced to the | | | | prevent future injuries. Pilates helps to condition |
| fact that it provides its faithful practitioners with | | | | the whole body, not just certain muscles. This |
| benefits that you simply can't get through | | | | helps balance the muscle and strength of the |
| traditional aerobics/strength training format. 1. | | | | body. Since no set of muscles is ever over or |
| Makes You into Muscle Man If want a long, lean | | | | under trained, there is less risk for injury. The |
| look without bulky muscles, but with all the | | | | body becomes more fluid and supple, protecting |
| strength. Would you like to build strength and | | | | against injury. 6. Helps You Become Efficient With |
| endurance without getting the muscle man look? | | | | Your Body Last, but not the least one of the |
| If so, pilates may be just what you have been | | | | benefits of Pilates is that it teaches you how to |
| searching for. There's a reason that pilates is the | | | | become efficient with your body. Very few |
| exercise of choice for gymnasts and professional | | | | exercises can help your body become more |
| dancers. Most conventional workouts tend to | | | | efficient in its movement. Why is efficiency so |
| create bulky muscle. Why is this? In most | | | | important? Being efficient means that your body |
| workouts, the emphasis is placed on repetition | | | | moves in a way, that is smoother, safer, and less |
| and building strong muscles. This causes | | | | prone to injury. By practicing pilates on a regular |
| already-strong (think: big) muscles to get even | | | | basis, you can train your body more to move in a |
| strong, and thus bigger. Pilates does not rely on | | | | much safer and more efficient manner. Benefits |
| frequent repetition, and thus no overgrown | | | | of Pilates for Older Adults The benefits of pilates |
| muscles. Pilates focuses on the whole body, not | | | | have been particularly noted in older adults. Older |
| just on sections of muscles. 2. Increases the | | | | adults are more likely to suffer from symptoms |
| Strength of Stabilizer Muscles There are many | | | | of arthritis, including stiff and painful joints. Pilates |
| benefits that one can achieve through a proper | | | | practice has also been lauded for its ability to help |
| use of the pilates program. One of the most | | | | prevent injury. Even adults undergoing serious |
| significant points of the pilates program is it's | | | | rehabilitation therapy can use Pilates to increase |
| ability to increase the strength of stabilizer | | | | their range of motion and overall muscle strength. |
| muscles that may not commonly be worked out | | | | But is Pilates safe for all adults? Who should avoid |
| in a standard exercise program. Also, since pilates | | | | participating in a Pilates program, and who is more |
| stresses the use of graceful and fluid | | | | likely to benefit from the program? Consult your |
| movements, it can be a great way to get a | | | | medical professional if you have any doubts about |
| better sense of the kinesthetics of your body. | | | | your pilates program. If you are suffering from |
| The sense of body that you can achieve through | | | | severe degeneration or physical pain, you should |
| pilates is quite significant, and many find that they | | | | take extra care before beginning a pilates |
| are better able to balance themselves regardless | | | | program. You should never feel pain while |
| of the position that they are in. 3. A Mind-Body | | | | practicing pilates. If you do, you know that there |
| Workout That Strengthens Your Whole Body | | | | is something wrong. Don't be afraid to pull back if |
| Another one of the benefits of Pilates is that it | | | | you feel overwhelmed. Pilates was designed to |
| engages the mind and enhances body awareness. | | | | progress naturally from one movement to |
| Like yoga, tai chi, and Asian martial arts, Pilates is | | | | another. If you feel stopped at one movement, |
| not just a workout for your body. Joseph H. | | | | don't give up. Start at the beginning and work |
| Pilates studied yoga, martial arts, and other | | | | your way back to the areas you found most |
| ancient mind-body activities and included a strong | | | | challenging. Other Benefits of Pilates - Tone and |
| philosophical foundation into the practice of Pilates. | | | | build long, lean muscles without bulk. - Reduce |
| Pilates not only helps tone your body, but your | | | | stress, relieve tension, and boost energy through |
| mind and spirit as well. The smooth, precise and | | | | deep stretching. - Restore postural alignment. - |
| flowing movements of Pilates are designed to | | | | Create a stronger, more flexible spine. - Increase |
| make you more mindful of your body. Breath | | | | joint range of motion. - Improve circulation. - |
| movement is also emphasized to put you in touch | | | | Heighten neuromuscular coordination. - Offer relief |
| with how breath moves through your body. | | | | from back pain and joint stress. - Correct |
| Pilates has been demonstrated to reduce stress, | | | | over-training of muscle groups which can lead to |
| anxiety, and helps lift depression. The mind-body | | | | stress and injury. - Enhance mobility, agility and |
| connection is fundamental to the study and | | | | stamina. - Compliment sports training and develop |
| practice of pilates. 4. Pilates Strengthens Your | | | | functional fitness for daily life activity. - Improve |
| Core like No Other Exercise Another one of the | | | | the way your body looks and feels. Summary: |
| benefits of Pilates is that the increased amount of | | | | Pilates is the exercise of choice for dancers, |
| strength that one can achieve in the 'core' of the | | | | gymnasts, and a host of famous Hollywood |
| body. The term core refers to the muscles in and | | | | celebrities, and now it finds itself firmly entrenched |
| around the area of the abdominal muscles and the | | | | in the mainstream. Find out the top six benefits of |
| back. Proper breathing control is also stressed in | | | | pilates exercises. |