Stretching and Pilates usually go hand in hand. Stretching is, as the word itself says, stretching your muscles and joints. However, we rarely do stretching on its own. It is usually used as a supplement, for example to Pilates. Stretching prepares us for Pilates itself, and it is stretching that allows us to relax our muscles after the workout.
One important thing distinguishes stretching and Pilates from other exercise programmes. While doing stretching or pilates exercises, full concentration and focus are required. You cannot switch off your brain like you can when running, cycling or similar cardio exercises. We step onto the treadmill, put on our headphones, turn up the volume and we're in another world. We don't pay attention to the way we run - our bodies just seem to work themselves. That's not possible with pilates and stretching - we have to be mentally present in every moment. Not only will this allow us to perform tasks with greater precision, but we will also be able to use this newfound ability to concentrate in our everyday lives.
There are many ways to stretch. There are specific exercises for warming up, relaxation, rehabilitation, etc. Regardless of the method, stretching has the following benefits:
- Greater flexibility
It goes without saying. We stretch our muscles and ligaments, so our whole body becomes more flexible. If you've been unable to touch the floor when bending forward, with regular stretching you'll be able to reach down and touch the floor without bending your knees.
- Managing stress
What puts us in a state of stress? We're always rushing around, running errands, cooking, doing the laundry, going to meetings, and at the end of the day we feel like a stretched-out rag doll. Stretching helps relieve stress for two reasons. First, while we stretch, we focus on the movements, not the never-ending daily tasks. We take our minds off our problems and gain a little peace of mind. Secondly, we get to know our bodies, because by stretching we put our muscles under stress. If we can learn to accept that kind of stress, we will find it easier to manage the „brain stretching”.
- Clearer thinking
In a fast-paced world, sometimes there is not even time to seek a new perspective and see things clearly. But when stretching, it's easy to see what's really important and what we need to let go of. After all, a healthy body is a healthy soul!
- Controlling the pain
Movement can help identify where the pain is coming from. Once you find the source, it will be easier to reduce the pain with different movements. It is more effective to think of stretching as a voyage of discovery. This time, however, it is our body that needs to be explored. If we always assume the same poses, only certain muscle groups will work. This makes it harder to pinpoint exactly which part of your body is causing the pain. Learning the right breathing techniques and doing certain stretches can help to reduce tension in the body.
- Better body-mind connection
We often don't pay enough attention to our bodies. We ignore hunger, fatigue and pain because we simply don't have time to deal with it. Stretching gives us time to get in touch with our bodies and assess whether all is well physically and mentally. All that is needed is to find a quiet place to stretch where there are no distractions.
- More restful and better quality sleep
It is hard to fall asleep when you feel that something is wrong. It could be a dull ache, tension or anything else that keeps us awake. Most of us carry some kind of tension around with us all the time without realising it. We usually carry this tension in our shoulders, back and abdomen. A simple stretch helps to relieve this tension, resulting in a more restful sleep.
- Reducing the risk of injuries
The body that does not bend is broken. This is particularly true for older people, where even minor falls can result in broken bones (of course, this also depends on the condition of the bones). Work on keeping your body flexible so that you are more likely to just hit your muscles when you fall and not break bones (the most vulnerable places are definitely the hips, wrists and knees).
- Better well-being
Scientists say that just 7 minutes of exercise a day is enough to feel better, reducing the risk of depression. Yes, stretching is exercise, and no, it's not just for the weak.
- Weight loss
Stretching stimulates the efficiency of the body. It stimulates circulation, delivering fresh oxygen to the muscles and brain. Your body eliminates toxins more easily, which can even help you lose weight. And while weight loss is not usually the primary goal of stretching, most people experience it as a pleasant side effect.
- Better balance and posture
More flexible, stronger muscles help you keep your balance. Stretching can also release the stiffer parts of the body that are responsible for poor posture. Stretching makes your body more symmetrical and you will notice a change in your posture almost immediately. It is important to stretch regularly so that our muscles remember the movements. You should repeat the basic exercises at least 3-4 times a week.
We don't want to change our whole life with one hour of stretching. The goal should not be to learn to do the splits in a week or to become a rubber man. Make the goals realistic and take it one step at a time! Don't overdo it the first time, as your body needs time to adapt to the new movements. Know your limits and don't expect the impossible of yourself. If we are persistent and patient, we will soon feel the benefits of stretching.