I had been teaching fitness classes for about 10 years when this “new trend” called Pilates started popping up all over the place. Gyms and Recreation Centres started adding Pilates classes to their schedules. The manager of the gym I worked at, left to open up a Pilates studio. And I was curious about what all this was. Of course, I wasn’t keen on the idea of letting go of any of my cardio or weight training workouts in order to add in this unknown form of fitness. I tried it first at a conference I attended and oh my, the next day my abs were on fire. Fast forward a few years, I started training to become a Pilates teacher. That’s when everything I did in fitness started to change.
Change how? Let me tell you:
1. Breathing
Pilates:
I became aware of how I held breathe during exercising. Pilates taught me to focus on longer inhales and fuller exhales. Exercises became easier to execute, with less tension in my shoulders.
Running:
During races, I have had times when my breathing becomes very “panicked”. Thanks to Pilates I am able to calm myself by focusing on longer, slower breaths.
2. Body Awareness
Pilates:
Pilates will show you your imbalances. The skills of a great Pilates teacher help with corrections, as does the Pilates equipment. The springs will try to push you around or wobble. With a small change in your movement or body position you will learn how to gain control over your body and the springs.
Spin Class:
I tend to put more weight into my left foot and underuse my left glutes. I became aware of is by doing Pilates and now notice and correct myself in spin class or even when I run.
3. Posture
Pilates:
I’ll be the first to admit that I am a sloucher. Pilates has made me very aware of my posture, to the point that I stand taller even if I talk about Pilates.
Weight Room:
I love hinging exercises because they make me feel strong. Pilates has taught me to feel my good posture, which gives me the confidence to tackle heavier lifting.
4. Flexibility
Pilates:
Pilates gets us moving our bodies in all directions including ways we might normally avoid. Because of moving in so many ways, you will experience some amazing stretches along with the strength and mobility that you gain.
Running:
Pilates is my run recovery. Sometimes after a run, I get in a full hour on the apparatus and other times I get a quick half hour on the mat. Either way, Pilates leaves me feeling great!
5. Mobility
Pilates:
From deep flexion to extension, rolling, elongating and rotating we are constantly working on gaining mobility in Pilates. Because of this we slowly become more flexible and stronger. Again my ankle mobility is limited as was my shoulder mobility. Pilates has helped me improve this tremendously.
Squatting:
Pilates has made me more aware of my limited ankle dorsiflexion. Exercises, such as the footwork on the reformer and the wunda chair have helped me to increase this mobility. This, in turn, has then helped me to improve my range of motion when I squat.
Discovering the Pilates method has helped me to continue with all of my other favourite fitness activities. You can too. My recommendation is to add Pilates to your fitness routine, 2 to 4 times a week.
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