The Benefits of Pilates Go Far Beyond Fitness

Why don’t we ever talk about the benefits of Pilates beyond the fitness aspect? It’s easy to list the plentiful physical benefits of Pilates:

• Build overall strength
• Decrease back pain
• Increase flexibility and mobility

But what else can it do for us?

The Non-Physical Benefits of Pilates

Pilates Creates Community

While I was at Momentum Fest (a three day Pilates event in Colorado), a bunch of us were chatting about the benefits of Pilates that weave themselves throughout our lives. For those of us there, the event shouted “Community!” It was all about bringing people together to move together. In fact, that community feeling is exactly what Momentum Fest was all about! It was an event full of “empowering fitness classes, motivating conversations and uplifting connections.”

To further bring the amazing Pilates community together, I am co-hosting the first ever Pilates Fest North in 2020, with Amy Rost. She and I met at the PMA (Pilates Method Alliance) conference in Palm Springs in 2017. Even though the two of us live provinces apart, we couldn’t be more aligned with what Pilates and Fitness mean to us. Pilates Fest North will strengthen the Pilates community and bring more awareness to what Pilates is.

Pilates Helps You Grow

Like most endeavors of worth, Pilates will most challenge you! At times you will feel nervous or unsure of yourself – especially at the beginning. You may feel vulnerable or self-conscious when you try a more difficult position.

But every time you push through, try again, and (finally!) succeed, you have stretched yourself and grown. Yes, even when you feel frustrated with a challenging exercise! The emotions are part of the practice. The very best emotions though, are when you feel driven and encouraged to keep trying.

Pilates Gives You Time

A huge benefit of Pilates is that you are giving yourself the gift of time. Time to take care of YOU! When you schedule your class and walk through those doors, you are honouring a commitment you made to yourself.

For a short while, you can clear your mind and sink into the positions, letting everything else go. When you are on the mat, the time is yours; your job disappears, your children don’t need anything, and it is just… YOU. And, while you are letting it all slip into the movement, you are surrounded by others who are doing the exact same thing.

Pilates Creates Friends for Life

In the same way that Amy and I have become long-distance friends planning Pilates Fest North, you too will gain new (and even unlikely) friends. As you are growing and learning side by side, facing challenges together, you will soon be supporting and encouraging each other, too.

As a runner, I am reminded about what it is like training for a marathon. Generally, we start training about 5 months before the event, and gather as a group twice a week to run together. Each training set there are new people who join in. As the weeks pass, we grow closer as we learn about one another. Soon enough, twenty or more of us are there, supporting a once-stranger in their “longest run ever”. By the time the event arrives, we have truly become friends who encourage and support each other in our goals. It is the same with Pilates.

The fitness aspects of Pilates are obvious, but it may be the other benefits of Pilates that keep me hooked on it. What about you? How has Pilates helped you, other than with your fitness? I’d love to hear your story!

And if you are ready to take advantage of all the benefits of Pilates, we offer options to suit everyone. See you in the Studio!