Reasons to Love Movement

It’s no secret that I love what Pilates does for me and so many others. While I don’t expect everyone to do or love Pilates, I do hope that everyone finds reasons to love movement in their own way. By regularly moving your body in all the ways it can bend, stretch, reach, and twist, you are keeping your body healthy and able to keep moving, so you can keep doing all the things you love for longer. 

Joseph Pilates’ Perspective

Change happens through movement and movement heals.

Joseph Pilates

Was Joe speaking strictly about doing Pilates? Probably not; but he did believe that regular movement was the key to staying healthy in a variety of ways. In addition to his own methods, Joe also boxed, skied, and played tennis. For him, a love of movement was built into every facet of his life. 

In the book The Caged Lion, by John Howard, he talks about the Pilates apparatus Joe and Clara had in their apartment. They had a bed that could be converted to a V-bed and then back to flat, with a tower and springs attached to the top end so Joe could start his day with a short workout. He had wunda chairs around his kitchen table, which could be converted from a chair to the exercise apparatus that we have today in our studios (my red ones actually convert to a chair).  

He wanted his clients to do the mat work at home every day and then come into the studio to work out with the apparatus a couple times a week.  John Howard also tells a story of Joe turning away a lady who wanted to do Pilates to change the way she looks and lose weight.  She returned the next day with a different request and he allowed her to come into the studio. 

Joe didn’t design Pilates to change how your body looks, but rather how it feels and works. He wanted us to get stronger and improve and maintain our mobility and flexibility; to move, breathe, sleep and even shower well;  to find and gain symmetry in our bodies in our strength, flexibility, and mobility. All this was so we could do life better, and avoid injury and illness. Basically, Joe wanted everyone to have more energy and enjoy a healthy life.  

My Pilates Practice

You will often hear the term “Pilates practice”. That’s because Pilates isn’t as much of a type of exercise, like spin class or running, but rather a discipline similar to a martial art. You can learn pilates and do it whenever you need it – even daily.

One example is how Pilates helps my body with running. It helps me stretch things out the day of or the day after a run. It also helps me during running, because it strengthens my core; in turn, this helps me maintain a good posture while running. Pilates also helps me focus on my breathing, keeping me aware of it while running. I’ve also become much more aware of how I move. Now I can self-correct when I feel “lopsided” or like I’m putting more weight into one foot or the other. Better balance is another side effect of Pilates, something I especially need for trail running. In general, I’m also stronger throughout my whole body, which supports me through all my runs. 

Other Types of Good Movement 

As a Pilates teacher, I’m obviously going to tell you how much I love it, the amazing things it’s done for me, and all the great things it can do for you, too. BUT… If you love movement of another kind (good movement, that is), then I’m thrilled for you! Pilates on its own is great, but I believe that other ways of moving are important too. 

Weight training, mobility workouts, yoga, running, walking, and playing a sport will change and heal you, just like the quote says. As the quote says, movement will change and heal you. Your body will become stronger, change shape, and become more flexible. Internally, your lungs, heart, and circulation will improve. Even your mind will benefit, as exercise can help your focus, clear your mind, and reduce stress. All of these elements are important to your health.  

Move Smarter

I believe that (if done right) less is more, and that can help you to do more. For instance, a really great strength training program designed for your body, goals, and weaknesses that you do 2 or 3 times a week will be more beneficial than randomly doing weights in the gym 5 days a week.  Then you have free time to do other activities that you love. (Maybe some Pilates?)