Though Pilates is not a new form of exercising, still it has become popular very recently, as people started becoming aware of its health benefits. Many people starting from movie stars to sports stars to senior citizens have started enrolling in a Pilates fitness programme. Many people avoid this as they think that these are only for developing their abs or their core muscles. But, there are much more associated with Pilates, such as strengthening the whole body to gain body balance, flexibility, muscle strength, posture and much more. It can be called a combination of yoga, martial arts and other western forms of exercises.
History of Pilates
Initially Pilates was designed by a German fitness specialist, Joseph Pilates, in the beginning of the 20th century. It is said that these kind of exercise regimen was formulated by him for people who were injured in the World War II to recover faster. Pilates believed that the mind and the body are interrelated and developed this system to strengthen “a sound mind in a sound body”. He taught many Germans and British people alike, and his students went on to open studios to teach these exercises.
Nowadays, many modern methods of exercising are combined with the traditional Pilates and new forms of Pilates are introduced in many Pilates fitness classes. All these classes follow almost the same principle and have the same benefits.
Who can do these exercises?
Pilates fitness programmes are for anybody and everybody. Sports persons, dancers, athletes, men, women, women in pregnancy and the postnatal period, senior citizens, people who are obese and oversized, can do these forms of exercises. If one chooses to join a Pilates fitness programme, then he or she should choose a quality fitness studio, which would actually tailor-make the exercises to suit one’s needs. Many people avoid them, thinking that they need to be fit to join some classes. But, this is not true. This is actually suitable for people with poor mobility and aches in joints too, as it improves the level of activity.
Pilates for Beginners
There are a lot fitness programmes that are devised to suit beginners as well as advanced learners. As soon as one decides to enrol himself in a programme, he or she should decide on what kind of programme- whether individual, duet or group sessions, is suitable for them.
Even after enrolling in a class, a beginner should always keep five things in mind
• Centring
• Concentration
• Precision
• Control
• Breath flow
These are the basic principles involved in all Pilates exercises irrespective of the equipment one uses. Pilates involves the whole body and mind, and as one starts doing these exercises the concentration is brought upon on the whole body. This not only helps one to do the exercise effectively, but also helps the body get accustomed to each and every move. Though these are the basics, a beginner will know much more when he enrols in a Pilates fitness program.
As a beginner, one does not have to be worried about the adaptability, as it is a beginner-friendly fitness programme.
