Pilates for relaxation : exercise for mental health

exercise for relaxation

Classes have always been pretty relaxed at Lark Pilates. There are usually a good few laughs (mostly me, laughing at me), some proper focus on breathing at the top of the class, and a friendly and comfortable vibe, as opposed to anything remotely competitive.

Competitive is key in team sports and athletics etc. But I’m not sure it has a place on the mat. For any mind body practice like Pilates, it’s important to tune into how your own body is feeling, so that you can respond through precise movements, each one connected with breath.

So we begin by taking a moment to be present, to become grounded and to breathe. We think about posture and alignment, and work with a few cues for centring, lengthening up through the spine, and then opening the collarbone — all to leave us with much more space to breathe.

As Mr Pilates put it: “Never slouch as doing so compresses the lungs, overcrowds other vital organs, rounds the back, and throws you off balance.”

breathing for relaxation

At some point, during each class, we take time to focus on lateral breathing, sending our breath deep and wide into the ribcage. This enables us to fill our lungs and send oxygen firing around the body. The effect is restorative and nourishing. When we are tense, our breathing can become shallow, quick, or high into the shoulders — think fight or flight. A contrast to the deep satisfying lung-fulls when we breathe laterally.

Equally, if we breathe right down into our stomach, it becomes tricky for us to keep our core optimally engaged, which is essential for supporting lower back and pelvis.

Breathing broad into the back and sides of the ribs enables us to maintain core control even in challenging exercises, or simply in the work of day to day life…lifting heavy shopping, pushing a heavy door, or taking an enthusiastic dog for a walk.

exercise for mental health

‘That hour just whizzed by!’ Or words to that effect, are heard most commonly at the end of Lark Pilates classes. In each movement, there is so much to think about, that the mind is completely absorbed. The focus required lifts the mind out of any other immediate concerns: it’s mindfulness, of a sort.

This break away from the daily grind, combined with restorative movement and deep steadying breaths, can give your body and mind the regular boost it so much needs in these days of seeming relentless concern and busyness.

Pilates is refreshing and energising precisely because it simultaneously works your body and mind.

Establishing a good routine is the best way to ensure you regularly invest in your health, mind and body, as it takes the day-to-day decision-making out of the equation. If you know a specific couple of hours each week are set aside for ‘me time’ on the mat, the exercise you need will happen. If you rely on decision-making on the day, almost guaranteed something will crop up that seems more important.

Exercise is an investment. And it needs to be regular to be most beneficial, for physical and mental health.

Have you read Covey’s highly acclaimed Seven Habits of Highly Effective People? Me neither. Or, well done you. As the case may be.

I began, got through the contents and intro, and next found myself waking up in the bath with a very soggy copy. Yes it slid under the water as I drifted off to sleep. Not effective. However. Regular exercise is one of the seven habits — I got that much. And by all accounts it is a great book, so I think we can take the exercise bit as read. Sorry Stephen.

pilates : where it takes you

I love Pilates for all the reasons mentioned above. I love the focus it brings, the way open posture affects body language in interactions with people day-to-day. I love the sense of strength it builds, with the precision of each new movement. And I love too that it feels almost endlessly modifiable, making tiny adjustments or adding new resistance to bring fresh challenges, or to adapt for specific needs.

But most of all, I love where it takes me. Out along the rocky coastline, up the frozen hills, through the forests with friends, family, dogs, onto the lawn to enjoy the flowers. Whatever stage of life we are at, Pilates exercises in one form or another can help power up our adventures in the great outdoors.

And being outside, in nature, is one of the most restorative measures we can take for the health of mind and body. There is a reason that hospitals are introducing gardens wherever possible, for the enjoyment of their patients — being around the beauty of nature is inherently restorative.

That’s why woven through all the Pilates chat at Lark, you’ll find almost an equal amount of chat about the brilliance and beauty of our planet, and how we can help build and restore its health too.

(Side note — I love this charity, Horatio’s Garden. On a journey to Cape Town, I sat next to one of the brilliant ladies who started it. We talked plants all the way.)

pilates home workout

I hardly need say that the way we live now is different to the olden times…I mean way back in 2019! Lark Pilates too has changed. And I hope for the better. Giving you more options to weave regular exercise into your weekly routine, without breaking the bank, or requiring you to dash any distance through the Scottish weather to join your Pilates class.

For me, there are a few fundamental things that I now give thanks for, daily:

  • The gift of good health, the brilliance of my body — even with all its quirks and all the things I wish were different.

  • The gift of other people — the importance of community. Being with each other, laughing together. Laughter also being a major health boost!

  • The wonder of technology — and its ability to connect us.

It’s a total privilege to be able to use all these things in my daily work at Lark Pilates. And I hope that this all comes through. One slightly luxurious element of life now is the home workout as a permanent fixture. Staying comfy, getting cosy, having all your kit to hand, windows open, candles burning, whatever your optimal set up may be.

Online Pilates classes are here to stay. As well as being extra relaxing for these reasons, they are also cost, time and fuel efficient. At Lark you pay per week rather than per class for Zoom Pilates — and with four live classes on the timetable, plus access to one recorded session each week, you have lots of opportunities to jump on the mat: five different online classes each week will set you back less than one in-person class. Here’s the full timetable.

A recent addition to the timetable is a new monthly Weekend Unwind…an extended in-person Pilates class on a Saturday or Sunday morning, held at a beautiful venue by the seaside in East Lothian. This is an opportunity for those who love the comfort and convenience of an online class to meet in person, get feedback on form, ask any questions and to hang out with Pilates pals. Afterwards we gallop along the nearby beach gathering things that don’t belong, and sending them off to be recycled or otherwise. Exercise, plus envirogood, plus good chat beside the sea is a total winner. And all super relaxing.

do you like the sound of lark?

If so, why not give a class a whirl and see what you think. Drop me a note or give me a buzz on 07920 421783 and we’ll get you organised.
Or, if you would like to read some more words, find out how you might benefit from Pilates right now.
Or! For a very brief recap of why Pilates is good for you…see below.

why is pilates good for you?

In short:

In long:

Johanna DollersonComment