Key benefits of pilates include meditation and happiness
Pilates is a functional form of movement with many benefits
Most fitness trends are just that, trends. They come and, almost as quickly, they go. Think aerobics in the eighties, spinning in the nineties and Zumba in the naughties. Arguably, contemporary Reformer Pilates is trending in the 2020’s.
However, since its formulation in the 1920’s by Joseph Pilates, Mat Pilates has gone from strength to strength. Today, over 12 million people worldwide practice Mat Pilates regularly, and this number is rising. So why has Mat Pilates prevailed when so many other fitness regimes have disappeared?
The answer is twofold. First, Mat Pilates prevails because of what it is. Second, Mat Pilates prevails because of what it is not.
Pilates is a functional form of movement that aligns the spine and the pelvis, leading to improved posture and balance. It strengthens the deep stabilisation muscles in our core, allowing us to move safely, whilst elongating and toning our limbs. The result? A long, lean and strong physique. All without the bulk, sky high cortisol levels, crazy appetite, DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) or the need to wash your hair afterwards.
But the benefits are not just muscular. Mat Pilates is hyper focussed on breath work. We inhale to prepare for a movement and exhale to exert that movement. This intentional, slow breath work allows Pilates to be incredibly meditative. Pilates may be slow-paced, but it by no means easy. In fact, I regularly teach people who can lift heavy weights and run marathons but who struggle, huff and puff their way through a beginner Mat Pilates class. They screw their faces up and gaze up at the ceiling asking to be saved. The focus required to perform Pilates properly leaves no room for the mind to wanter. In this respect, Pilates - like Yoga - demands that the mind focus on one thing only. In doing so, it forces us to be meditative, to silence the chatter of the mind.
Additionally, Mat Pilates is low impact and incredibly adaptive. It can be practised safely by anyone at any age and can be adapted to accommodate old age and pregnancy. Further, it is incredibly useful for rehabilitation following injury and childbirth. Pilates is so backed by science that it is recommended by doctors and physiotherapists alike, with the NHS even provides free pilates videos on its website. Further, Mat Pilates can be practised anywhere and at any time. You don’t need equipment or even a mat (a towel or blanket should suffice).
And last but certainly not least, Pilates classes are an amazing way to find community and make friends. I am constantly in awe of how friendly and open the students that come to Breathe Studio are with one another. I often observe my regulars making a point of chatting to new faces and it isn’t uncommon for girls to go for coffee together after class. Long, lean limbs aside, this sense of community is surely the paramount health benefit of Pilates. After all, if we learnt anything from the Harvard Study of Adult Development it is that meaningful relationships, including those with our community, contribute significantly to happiness.
