The 10 Best Reasons For Joining A Pilates ClassPosted by Happy Being on March 23rd, 2021 For the past year in the UK and most countries around the world, we have been living in a COVID-19 lockdown of varying degrees. In Scotland, there were only a few months when gyms and swimming pools were allowed to re-open and an even shorter time when adults could take part in group exercise. Many personal trainers are taking sessions outdoors and yoga and Pilates' teachers are now taking their classes online. Whilst some people followed their teachers and happily went online, others took time away from their fitness classes. For some, this was due to lack of income and for others, they just thought they would wait a few weeks until classes were allowed again. However, group classes have not been permitted for many months now, and those that haven't been taking part in their usual exercise are starting to notice they are getting a bit stiff and sore. Many people have been sitting working on laptops at the kitchen table without thinking too much about their posture. Now their necks are hurting, they are getting sore heads and their back is stiff. If after a year, you are fed-up with lockdown and feeling a bit lethargic, then maybe it is time to join an online Pilates class. 10 Benefits To Be Gained From Practicing Pilates
Pilates will help you get good posture after a year of sitting badly at your dining table or on your sofa. Standing tall will help you look younger too.
How far does your neck turn? Can you turn further one way than the other? A healthy, happy body has lots of movement in the neck. Slow flowing Pilates movements can release tight muscles around the neck area and move vertebrae that are out of alignment in this area.
Pilates can help to end shoulder problems such as Rotator Cuff Impingement, Frozen Shoulder and Shoulder Instability. Some muscles in our upper back and shoulders get lazy and others very tight. Pilates strengthens the lazy ones and releases the tight ones. Your shoulders will love it!
When you get out of bed in the morning, is your lower back stiff and achy? Do you find yourself rubbing it unconsciously? Pilates will help realign the 5 lumbar vertebrae and get those postural core muscles switched on.
A trapped sciatic nerve can give you lots of discomfort around the hip, pelvis and back of the upper leg. At worst you will feel pain running down into your lower leg. Specific Pilates moves will release the muscles around the lower back, pelvis and hip allowing the sciatic nerve to run freely.
Pilates isn’t just about the core and back muscles. It can help your whole body feel great. During a Pilates class, you will work the ligaments, tendons and muscles around your hip, knee and ankle joints to keep them mobile. Building strength in these muscles will in turn lead to better balance and movement. Whatever your level of mobility and age Pilates can help here.
Everyone wants to have those abs toned. That’s only natural and you’ve guessed it, Pilates will help. Core strength is not just about looking great but it helps support your spine and back.
Pilates can help to build strength to protect against the onset of Osteoporosis and relieve the symptoms of Osteoarthritis. Regular Pilates classes help keep bones healthy. As we get older our bone density naturally reduces. Using, for example, light weights in a Pilates class will help strengthen and prevent bones from deteriorating further. Pilates exercises build up muscle and strengthen the joints.
10. Feel Great! After participating in a Pilates class where you focus on the mind, breath and body you will come away feeling great. And you will have chased away some of your Lockdown Blues. Like it? Share it! More by this author |