What are the benefits of Pilates? Five good reasons to jump on the mat.
Pilates gets a lot of chat. Yup loads of people recommend it. But what is it all about? And how could bopping about on the mat really benefit you? There’s enough in the schedule already, right?
I was pondering this the other day, for one reason and another. So thought I would revive the blog to get a few key points down in b and w.
pilates can help build core strength
A strong core is for sure the tip top benefit of a regular Pilates practice.
This super set of muscles will help support your back through all of life’s everyday adventures. It can help you balance better, increase stamina in sport, help prevent injury, and it’s an ace foundation for lovely, comfy, positive-looking posture.
Plus your all-important pelvic floor is part and parcel of the fabulous set of abs that make up your core — keeping these muscles in good nick is pretty key throughout life! :)
If you’re into any kind of sport — whether ultra running, synchronised swimming, or simply a regular sprint for the bus, building a strong core is one of the best things you can do to power up your play.
In Pilates we build this strength by maintaining a central ‘core of stability’ across the lumbo-pelvic region, while working through a progressively challenging range of movements.
Using bodyweight and gravity, Pilates mat exercises build core strength — and this strength radiates out. The challenge is increased with repetitive movements, increasing in intensity. Small bits of kit including stretchy bands, light weights, soft balls, can all be used to add resistance. Machine-based Pilates, commonly referred to as ‘reformer’, begins from the same principles as matwork, but it takes these exercises onto spring-loaded equipment.
Want to know more about the core? Here’s a blog I wrote earlier: Core, what is it good for? Why core strength is important and how you can build it.
exercises and stretches for comfortable posture
Uncomfy posture is a total pain for a growing number of people right now. In the UK there’s been a big upswing in the number of workers needing time off because of posture-related pain. The theory goes that it’s related to the increase in home-working, without a proper desk set up. Whatever the cause, an uncomfy posture is at best an energy sap. At worst, it’s an ongoing source of significant pain.
Of course it’s best to be active throughout the day, whether you have a desk job or no.*
And strong core abs can support the spine in the necessarily prolonged postures of humdrum life — sitting while driving, or at work, or standing in endless queues (Brits ahoy!).
A lovely core workout at the start or end of your day can help shake off any stiffness or slumpiness, and leave you feeling stronger, taller, and more energised.
In Pilates we stretch and strengthen opposing sets of muscles. Example: we often stretch the tight muscles at the front of the shoulders and then go on to strengthen those at the back of the shoulders which are often weaker. This helps open up the rounded forward fold of the upper body, and then strengthens the back line to build a more comfortable postural set up.
An open posture not only helps us physically feel better, but it also helps us feel more upbeat as we interact with the world.
*Top tip: A teething puppy can really help if you struggle to remember to get up from the desk during the day. Especially if you have a lovely old piano, or similar. Thankfully my reliable assistant, aka Bruno the pup, loves frozen carrots as well as pianos.
Jurassic coasting.
pilates for relaxation
A fave moment of the Lark weekly sched is Friday relaxation…the ideal Pilates class to round off the week. Half an hour of classic Pilates moves on the mat, followed by 10 or 15 minutes’ focus on deep relaxation.
What does this involve? Some glorious release for the muscles around the neck, head and upper back, plus focussed breath work — and some time to simply be present and thankful. Every week it feels like a total gift to self. :)
Anecdotally, I understand that several of the Lark relaxation session aficionados remain on the mat for a good nap after class.
Win win! As apparently a small daytime snooze is brill for your brain health. Good news all round.
If you’d like to know more about how Pilates and exercise in general can help you relax, look no further. I wrote a blog about that too.
pilates is ace for everyday adventures
When clients tell me that Lark Pilates classes are giving them a boost in the activities and adventures they love best, I feel pretty jolly happy.
Job satisfaction? Absolutely.
Yes, for me this is the purpose of Pilates — to power up every day living. And to help increase our enjoyment of the things we love. Elevate, if you will.
Recent stories that have given my heart a lift include clients with: a better golf swing, a more powerful tennis serve, nimbler work with racing dinghy lines, stronger ankles and knees in off-road running. For sport and adventure, Pilates can give us the edge, in both strength and stamina.
And I never underestimate the impact of Pilates for enhancing the simple joy of daily activities: from galloping around with children / grandchildren, to walking the dog, and my all time favourite — putting on socks in comfort! :)
View from the mat at classes in west Dorset. Litton Cheney loveliness.
exercise for pre-hab / rehab & everyday surprises
Well trained core abs kick in super quick when you need them most, namely in surprising circumstances. This can help avert crises of various sorts.
Classic anecdotes from clients who have appreciated the power of their strong Pilates core include: being buffeted about on some slightly wild public transport, a significant slide in the mud on a hill, and rehabbing after surgery for a broken ankle. Many times clients report that had it not been for the core strength they had built at Pilates, a slightly perilous situation could have been much worse.
APPI Pilates is the version I teach at Lark, and this is most widely used in the NHS. Why? Because it is based on Joseph Pilates’ original repertoire of exercises updated with the latest research in physiotherapy. So it’s ideal for prehabilitation and rehabilitation. And movements can be adapted or modified to suit all abilities.
I confess to being biased. Certainly. I think time invested in a good regular Pilates workout is paying it forwards when it comes to core strength, flexibility, balance, comfy posture, general muscle and bone strength. But it’s more than that. For me, Pilates is to power up the adventures of everyday living. And at Lark we have a good laugh too, we have a good chinwag, and I hope, at least once during each class we have a moment of total appreciation for the brilliance of our bodies. Yup, none are perfect. Not one. But every body is capable of incredible things. Taking a minute to ponder this is also a proper well-being booster.
See you on the mat chaps.
If the benefits of a regular Pilates practice appeal — dive on in! You’d be super welcome at Lark, online or IRL.
Send me a note, or give me a ring; I will be delighted to chat you through your options, answer any questions, and probably have a quick discussion about what books we are currently reading too.
larkpilates.com / johanna@larkpilates.com / 07920 421783
Bruno. The beautiful pup, Coronation weekend. Currently an ace assistant on desk days at Lark HQ.