You may have heard about Pilates (pronounced puh LAH teez), a form of fitness training, but how does it help your body?
Pilates combines strength and flexibility training, using exercises that tone and condition the entire body. Particular attention is paid to building and developing the area of the body called the “powerhouse,” the core region of the body that includes the abdomen, pelvis, lower back and buttocks.
Pilates also creates a powerful mind-body connection, developed through proper breathing technique and concentration on smooth body movements to achieve better mental and physical health and reduce stress.
Initially, our office provided traditional therapeutic exercise services to our patients. However, in 2003, we began offering the Stott Pilates repetoire to our patients, which has proven to be far more effective than traditional therapeutic exercises. The pilates rehabilitative exercise program has enabled patients of all fitness levels and ages to strengthen and tone muscles much faster and safer than traditional therapy had in the past. Patients enjoy pilates and are so pleased with their results that they often choose to continue pilates at the on-site studio after the completion of their rehabilitative therapy.
Pilates itself was developed in the 1920’s by a German gymnast and boxer, who became a nurse, Joseph Pilates. Afflicted with many physical problems, he used pilates to assist hospitalized patients with their rehab exercises. Known as the premier pilates method world-wide, Stott™ pilates can be performed with or without equipment and is safe for everyone.
Pilates is the ideal method to strengthen and tone muscles, improve posture, strengthen the spine, flatten the stomach and improve flexibility. Pilates improves stamina levels, reduces stress and brings the mind in tune with the body.
Pilates is a weight bearing exercise that improves strength and neuromuscular coordination. Safer than lifting weights with less tension and stress on the joints, Reformer exercises allow patients, especially those who experience pain with other fitness regimens to gently strengthen key muscles by providing adjustable resistance using spring tension.
The focus on muscular imbalances due to injury, postural problems or over straining makes pilates the ideal method to help train the muscles. Additional benefits include increased lung capacity, increased circulation through healthy breath patterns, strength, flexibility, coordination, posture and balance. Bone density and joint health also improve with this safe, weight bearing form of exercise, which also increases body awareness.
To find out more about pilates, find out if your health insurance covers pilates exercise therapy, or to make an appointment, call (330) 758-4446.
If you'd like to take group personal training on pilates equipment for general health and wellness, classes are offered through the pilates studio, Breath of Vitatlity.
