Here Pilates instructor Dominique Rohan talks about the benefits of Pilates to improve your strength and flexibility, not to mention mental health.
We all strive for equilibrium in our lives. Be it in our work environment, our relationships or our bodies. Imbalances cause many issues, which can in turn affect our ability to succeed. With a focus on rebalancing our bodies and our minds, we need to perform at our absolute best in order to achieve our goals and ambitions.
Our bodies need good mobility in order to function efficiently and effectively. This mobility refers to the range of movement of our joints and muscles, as well as our strength and flexibility. Increasing mobility will increase muscle balance and alignment, allowing the body to increase the amount of exercise that it can sustain. During exercise, the endorphins released interact with the receptors in our brains which reduce our perception of pain, and trigger a positive feeling in our bodies. This is one of the reasons that it is often suggested that exercise helps alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety. We all know how much better we feel, generally, after having done some exercise.
There are several disciplines that can be explored in order to gain strength and flexibility, as well as increased mobility, all of which support our ability to exercise. One such exercise regime is Pilates, founded and designed by Joseph Pilates himself to help him become stronger and overcome many ailments he experienced from a very young age, and throughout his life. He completely transformed his body, and those of his students since the turn of last century, with this method.
“In 10 sessions you will feel a difference, In 20 sessions you will see a difference and in a 30 sessions you will have a new body”
Joseph Pilates
Today Pilates is considered a very safe, and effective exercise regime for all fitness levels, providing it is taught by a well qualified teacher. Regular exercise helps us to take on the stresses of everyday life with more ease and aplomb.
Our bodies were designed to perform incredible physical feats, and when we use our bodies to their full potential, our sense of well being is undeniable.