What does Pilates give you?

What does Pilates give you?

Pilates, like an invisible coach, is constantly with you, even after the workout has ended. Why? Because it teaches our bodies some things that we tend to forget amidst our fast-paced lifestyle.

First and foremost, it provides precise body awareness. How is this possible? Well, during the exercises performed in Pilates classes, we learn how to engage individual muscles and muscle groups. When we feel how our muscles work during exercise, we can consciously transfer this to our daily lives. Thus, even a simple task like carrying groceries can be done with greater attention and controlled muscle work, thereby protecting our spine from excessive strain. With conscious muscle work, we can improve our posture, the alignment of our neck and lower back, preventing the development of numerous ailments.

Beyond all this, Pilates teaches you to concentrate. To perform the exercises to the best of our ability, we must be mentally present. It's not enough to hear the instructor's words; we must consciously understand how to perform them so that the correct muscles are working.

During the exercises, we not only move our muscles but also constantly need to pay attention to our breathing, as this helps our body deliver the appropriate amount of oxygen to the cells. Harmonizing movement and breathing signifies concrete control and awareness.

It is also an undeniable fact that during the exercises, certain muscles must be kept continuously engaged. This powerhouse provides the foundation for our movements. We should imagine it as a central unit, focusing on which, and building upon which, all our movements originate. If this is not engaged, we can easily get injured, or the exercises may not yield the results we expect.

Precision characterizes the execution of the exercises. It is important how quickly, with what intensity, and how precisely we perform them. Pilates is characterized by slow, even movements, and precisely for this reason, they work our muscles hard.

If we reach this point, if we master the exercises and the exercises don't defeat us, then we will feel that every single exercise, and the consecutive series of movements, has a flow, a rhythm. Well-executed exercises put us in rhythm, and exercises performed simultaneously and together become an experience.