What is Pilates and How Can It Improve Your Health?

Posted: Jun 24 in Activity Recommendations, Health And Wellness, Nutrition, Weight loss by Dr. Lazarus

Pilates is a type of exercise that was founded by a man named Joseph Pilates. It is a method that uses conditioning of the body and mind to promote good health. Pilates involves controlling your breathing and body movements in a way that makes you physically fit in body and mind. Here’s what Pilates can do for you:

Pilates Can Improve Your Mental Health

When you do Pilates, you wake up sleeping muscle cells. When this happens, dormant cells in your brain become activated and you have better brainpower. A test done on rodents showed mice that engaged in exercise had brains that were healthier, and they did much better on tests for cognitive function than mice that didn’t exercise.

Pilates Can Reduce Stress

Pilates involves breathing slowly and deeply as you exercise. This type of breathing can help alleviate stress symptoms. As you work your muscles and control your breathing at the same time, hormones that make you feel happy are released and your stress declines. In addition to reducing stress, exercise can help you manage more stress.

Pilates Can Strengthen Your Body

The various positions used in Pilates will help you defy gravity. Those that are especially helpful are the ones where you put your legs above your head. Several of the exercises done lying down were created to keep your organs in place and alleviate pressure on your heart. Pilates also balances your muscles, which makes you limber and less likely to get injured.

Pilates Promotes Healthy Range of Motion

When you move the jointed parts of your body you stimulate the production of a protein found in joint fluid. This joint fluid nourishes your bones and acts as a lubricant. Pilate exercises are designed to enhance joint mobility and keep you moving.

Pilates Promotes Healthy Bones

The resistance exercises used in Pilates intensifies the stress on your bones. When you do these exercises, the muscles trigger the rebuilding of bones as stress is promoted. Though Pilates can enhance bone density, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor before engaging in this exercise program if you have osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Pilates Will Correct Your Breathing

Since Pilates involves movement and deep inhalation and exhalation, your respiratory musculature will become stronger and the circulation of your blood will be at its best when you do Pilates. You will be able to take in an increased amount of air. Breathing will be easier.  

Pilates Can Enhance Blood Circulation

Because Pilates improves blood circulation, it can offer you protection from dementia, diabetes, and other diseases. It can also increase your energy. Pilates will fill you with vitality.

Pilates Can Stimulate Your Lymphatic System

Your lymphatic system protects you from disease. It rids your body of toxins. The breathing exercises used in Pilates stimulate the release and movement of cleansing lymph fluid.

If you decide that you want to incorporate Pilates while on your medical weight loss program make sure you check with your doctor first, even if you don’t have osteopenia or osteoporosis. Practice Pilates in your home or at a studio. If you want to do it in the comfort of your home, you can use a book for guidance or you can go online to take a class. When doing the exercises involved, make sure you have a soft mat you can lie down on, a small pillow and a fat pillow, and a stretchy band that’s not too difficult to pull.