Whether you’re looking to strengthen, tone, or sculpt, pilates is an effective way to get in shape. Unlike running and other high-impact exercises, Pilates is performed close to the ground, which means it’s easy on your joints. And the soreness you feel after class is a good thing—it shows that those tiny moves you made engaged muscles head to toe, and got you a workout.
Despite its deceptive simplicity, pilates is challenging, and instructors are trained to spot when a student may be overdoing an exercise or using too much tension. Students are encouraged to engage their core postural muscles and concentrate on the movements, and they work with breath to create a fluid movement that connects the whole body.
Joseph Pilates believed in a ‘thinking way of moving’ that included always being aware of breathing and alignment, engaging the ‘powerhouse’ of the pelvic floor and torso before any outward movements take place, and performing exercises with both precision and flow. Using the lungs to strongly pump air fully in and out of the body helps keep tension under control and encourages a deeper relaxation.
Practicing regularly, whether in a studio or at home, builds strength and flexibility over time, and it also increases body awareness. As students become more familiar with the movements, they gradually build up their stamina, and exercises that once felt difficult and tiring begin to feel like second nature. This combination of relaxation with effort is ideal for people who are trying to deal with stress and anxiety.