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Pilates' method and its advantages
Balance between body and mind, this is the main objective of Pilates, a century ago, Joseph H. Pilates created this discipline, and today more than ever it is still present when seeking to improve physical condition, as well as the ability to concentrate.
If you are thinking of starting to exercise, we recommend the Pilates method, since it not only focuses on your body, as we have already mentioned, it also stimulates your concentration, works your breathing and many other aspects, about this discipline we will be leaving you as much detail as possible.
What is Pilates' method?
It is a discipline or type of sports practice in which the key is breathing and concentration, hand in hand with a series of exercises that help strengthen the muscles, through rigorous work on each of these.
Its creator, Joseph H. Pilates, based the Pilates method on another series of disciplines such as; yoga, gymnastics, and even traumatology, resulting in the training that to this day is still practiced in different parts of the world.
Principles of the Pilates' method
Since its creation a century ago, the Pilates method has undergone a series of changes, today new exercises and even implements can be incorporated, however there is something that has been maintained over time, it is the principles that govern the method. Pilates, they are:
Breathing
Breathing control is one of the key principles of Pilates, in general, according to the exercise performed, breathing is organized in two or even four times. Achieving coordination in Pilates movements depends on breathing.
Core, Center or Powerhouse
Another principle is that all the forces of the body arise from the central area of the body, or core, as it is often called, from where the force will be transmitted to each of the extremities, mastering this allows a safe practice of Pilates.
Control
Contrology, this was the original name of the Pilates method, with the same its creator wanted to allude to the importance of executing each movement correctly and in an orderly way, but it is not only about body control, but also about the mind.
Concentration
In Pilates sessions concentration, focusing on each movement that is being carried out, is key, after all, without concentration you cannot achieve the union of the mind and the body that is one of the objectives of Pilates.
Fluency
Each movement must be done fluently, neither must be forced, each must be linked to the other, they must be executed at the precise tempo, each movement must be done as naturally as possible.
Precision
Hand in hand with fluency and concentration goes precision, each of the movements must be made perfect, that is why following the progressions is essential, including the adaptation of the exercises according to each student, taking into account their needs.
What benefits does practicing Pilates offer?
Although the main objective of practicing some type of exercise, such as Pilates, is to stay in shape, and boy do you achieve it with this method, you can also obtain another series of benefits, among which are:
1. Correct and improve posture, each exercise performed in a Pilates class helps to correct your posture, because it works in the position of the back, shoulders, abdomen, achieving that either sitting, standing, or walking, have a good posture, preventing back pain.
2. Improve breathing, remember that one of the principles of Pilates is breathing, the exercises are combined with postures, concentration and breathing, that is why those who practice Pilates learn to improve their breathing.
3. Helps with knee injuries, according to studies, Pilates helps to achieve a faster recovery from problems such as cruciate ligaments or meniscus, starting by giving movement to the joint, and then seeking to strengthen the knee.
4. Increases flexibility, for the most part, Pilates exercises focus on stretching the body, this helps to lengthen the muscles and directly affects the achievement of greater flexibility.
Types of Pilates
The original Pilates was worked on the ground, that is, no implement was required, but, today, although conventional Pilates is still used, some machinery has been incorporated.
In Pilates with machines, various devices are used that can be modulated according to the intensity of exercise you want, the reformer and the cadillac are some of the most used machines. Bands, balls, are other elements that are incorporated into Pilates.
Classical Pilates, for its part, strictly follows the movements devised by the creator, Joseph Pilates, in which all exercises are practiced on the floor, either lying down, sitting or standing.