Pilates
Pilates:
From the very early ages people tried to find out various methods by which they can be fit. The Pilates method is one such physical fitness system which targets at keeping the body well balanced.
The method was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates and he called this method ‘Controlgy’. It was formed during the First World War, so that it can improve the rehabilitation system for many injured veterans. According to Pilates, he believed that mental and physical health arc closely linked to each other. He with his own techniques recommended some of the moves that actually targeted at making soldiers fit and injury free. It helped all the soldiers regain health by stretching and stabilizing muscles. The soldiers actually benefited immensely and most of them returned to their normal conditions within a very short span. Pilates created a list of principles that could actually condition the whole body. It was targeted at improving the body alignment, centering, breathing etc; in short his principles made an unfit person a fit person.
According to Pilates, he claimed that all his methods had a theoretical or philosophical foundation. He claimed to have devised the exercise system after about use and observation of these exercises for about a period of 8 years.
There were various exercise principles laid down by Pilates and we would take you through all of them in brief.
Mind over Matter:
According to various experts, Pilates’s main aim was to create a mixture of mind and body. The ultimate goal was to create a union of mind and body, which does not need any attention at all. It is believed that on using this technique one can make most of his or her strength, rectify his or her imbalances if any and fight against all weaknesses. The technique requires constant attention to one’s body during movements. The attention factor is believed to very critical and is believed to be more important than any other single aspect of movements.
Breathing:
We all know that without breathing we would simply choke to death so did Pilates. According to Joseph Pilates, he believed in proper circulation of blood so that it could awake all the body cells properly and clear the wastes that are related to fatigue. According to Pilates, the requirements of blood can only be fulfilled when the blood is charged with fresh oxygen and is devoid of waste gases, and it can be only performed by proper breathing. Pilate’s principles desired complete inhalation and exhalation during exercise and saw that complete inhalation can be fulfilled by forced exhalation. According to Pilates, he wanted breathing to be performed with lots of concentration and control. It is believed that proper and effective breathing not only helps in oxygenating the muscles but also helps in reducing tension in the upper neck and shoulder region. Pilates expected that while exercising one should breathe properly as proper breathing will help in getting the desired results along with proper exercise.
Centering:
Pilates was interested in working the muscles of the abdomen, hips, lower back and buttocks as he believed that while exercising the energy would pass from these regions to the hands and legs. He felt that it was very important to develop the central muscles of the abdomen, hip, lower back and buttocks as it would help them in their day to day lives.
Concentration:
One of the most important things in doing the form of exercise as suggested by Joseph Pilates depended greatly on the concentration powers of the people practicing his form of exercise. While doing the exercises as suggested by Pilates it is necessary to concentrate on the individual muscles in the body and this is not an easy task. One needs to have very strong concentration power to be benefited by the Pilates method of exercising.
Control:
Exercisers who follow the Pilates method of exercise are required to have a good control on the movements of their body parts. This control is very necessary to reap positive results from the exercises. Joseph Pilates has clearly mentioned that the exercises should be done in a proper way as repetitions of exercises in an improper way would not produce the desired results.
Precision:
While practicing the Pilates method of exercise it is very necessary to do the exercises in the most precise manner. All the parts of an exercise should be done in a proper way as leaving any part would not produce the desired results. While doing an exercise it is necessary to do them in a precise manner as a single exercise done in a proper manner would produce greater results than several exercises which are done in an improper manner.
Maintaining a flow in the movements:
It is very important to do the Pilates form of exercise in a continuous flow as maintaining a continuous flow in the exercises would help them in increasing their strength and also their stamina with time.
The form of exercise that was suggested by Pilates is very beneficial and can be easily practiced by all sorts of people, but it is suggested that pregnant woman should do the exercises under the watchful eyes of an experienced trainer otherwise the exercises may lead to complications.
Over the years the Pilates method of exercise has been used by many people across the world over the years and all have experienced positive results. The benefit of following the Pilates method of exercise is that it not only exercises the body but also has a positive effect on the mind. It helps in increasing the overall strength of the body and also helps in making the body more flexible. People following the Pilates method of exercise have been found to have an improvement in the balance of the body and also report having good coordination of the various body parts.
Nowadays there is no dearth of good trainers teaching the Pilates method of exercises all over the world. The number of people enrolling in the various Pilates exercise programs across the world is increasing with each passing day.