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Pilates is the godfather of core strength training. Your core, or commonly called, the powerhouse, is comprised of the upper and lower abdominal muscles, the lower back and the buttocks.
Conventional forms of exercise and athletic activities develop strength in your arms and legs, but largely ignore this area because these muscles are difficult to isolate and strengthen. This is the same set of muscles that support good posture and, if not used properly, will deteriorate with time.
Pilates exercises are designed to stabilize your torso and work the muscles of the powerhouse lower, deeper, and more intensely. All movements are initiated from your powerhouse, which strengthens the support muscles deep within the body; muscles that typically get overlooked in conventional weight bearing or aerobic exercise. By stabilizing the powerhouse, your arms and legs can move freely from a stable spine, increasing flexibility and strength at the same time.
Not only do Pilates exercises eliminate the need for tedious repetitions, but they are more effective because they work several muscle groups at the same time. The movements stretch one muscle group while strengthening another, and require a great deal of abdominal control. Your result is a toned body, but without the bulk seen in other exercise methods.
A better result for the effort and time invested by you!
The central aim of Pilates is to create a fusion of mind and body, so that your body will move with economy, grace, and balance. The end goal is to produce an attention-free union of mind and body. You will learn how to use your body to the greatest advantage, making the most of its strengths, counteracting its weaknesses, and correcting its imbalances.
The method requires you to constantly pay attention to your body while doing the movements. Paying attention to movement is seen as so vital that it is considered more important than any other single aspect of the movements.
There are 6 principles that encompass the nature of all Pilates exercises and movements, namely:
By focusing on these principles, you will see the quickest success that comes from this exercise method.
Is Pilates suitable for me?
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