Aiming to strengthen a frail, sickly body — plagued by asthma and rickets as a child — Joseph Pilates developed his own system of exercise that draws on yoga, martial arts, Zen meditation and Greek and Roman exercises. During World War I, he began using his method to therapeutically move non-ambulatory patients in hospital beds. He attached springs to the patients’ bodies, so they could be pulled up and down and their muscles could be strengthened as they moved. He soon noticed that his patients were recovering more quickly than those who weren’t using the springs.
Unlike some other muscle-building workouts, Pilates emphasises control and precision. It teaches you to stabilize one body part while moving another — working the deep core muscles that are vital for good posture and balance. Pilates also focuses on improving your breathing, boosting lung capacity and enabling you to breathe from the diaphragm rather than just the chest.
Research suggests that Pilates improves your strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and postural alignment. It also reduces stress, boosts mood and improves energy levels. This is likely because the focus on controlled movement and breathwork encourages mindfulness, helping you to relax and clear your mind. The calming effects of Pilates also extend to your daily life, making it an ideal form of exercise to use as a way to manage the stresses and strains of life.