Pilates is a challenging low impact exercise method that balances strength with mobility, aligns the body, and strengthens the deeper muscles of the core. It’s a great way to reduce stress, improve posture and build a strong body without adding bulk.
It can help ease stress, anxiety and depression by promoting better breathing habits that reduce mental and physical tensions. It can also give you a general sense of well-being, says Gaby Seracuse, a Pilates instructor in New York City.
Achieving a stronger connection between your mind and body is key to Pilates’s benefits, so it’s important to practice with awareness and focus. You’ll want to pay attention to your breath and engage in small movements that feel comfortable but get more difficult as the session progresses.
You can do Pilates at home using a mat, or at a specialized Pilates studio. Both provide similar results and are a good choice for a beginner.
It can help rehabilitate injuries, including back pain. The exercises focus on building a stronger core to reduce injury risks and promote long-term pain management.
Pilates can also be incorporated into physical training and rehabilitation programs to help improve flexibility, abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability. Though there is limited scientific evidence supporting the use of Pilates as a treatment for musculoskeletal diagnoses, there is a growing interest in adopting this method into physical therapy and rehabilitation programs.
There are many different types of pilates exercises, so it’s important to choose a type that is right for your body and lifestyle goals. The most popular types are mat, reformer, and classical Pilates, all of which offer a range of mental health and fitness benefits.