Category Archives: Pilates exercise

Pilates Training: Not Only An Exercise But An Art Form

Pilates Training: Not Only An Exercise But An Art Form

Pilates are considered to be a very special form of exercise. Although it doesn’t require the fast pace tempo of aerobic exercise, it can be just as strenuous. The motion is slower but the balance and muscle coordination needed takes some time and practice to master. But it is a celebrated form of exercise due to its ability to positively affect the body and mind.

This exercise method is used for a number of reasons. Weight management being a popular choice for using this method of exercise. Although you don’t move particularly fast during a work out session, you are burning essential calories as a result of the tension applied to the muscles. Great concentration is necessary to maintain balance and peace of mind.

After working out with this unique form of exercise for an extended period of time, you will notice a leaner build. Your center will become stronger. Your stomach muscles will become toned as many of the movements focus on the core. And your posture will become straighter, similar to a dancer.

The program has many benefits. People that do this form of exercise tend to develop sculpted, lean bodies. This method elongates the muscles, which adds a dancer or gymnast style elegance to an individuals posture. You become stronger and more coordinated.

Pilates was created as part of a rehabilitation regiment for injured soldiers during World War I. Joseph Pilates was a nurse when he created the exercise form. It proved to be very successful in assisting soldiers that lost some or all of their mobility. He worked on this method for several years, until he perfected is specialized art form.

He studied various forms of yoga and meditation arts from around the world. He also incorporated martial arts into his method making it somewhat of an art form. Besides the physical advantages of the program, it is also said to bring clarity and peace of mind. Therefore, it is considered a holistic form of exercise.

Pilates is more than an exercise program. It is an art form that centers your body and mind. Pilates can be used as part of a weight loss program. It is especially helpful for individuals that are not strong enough for weight lifting or high impact aerobics. This is a relaxing, life altering form of exercise that unites body, spirit and soul.

This method, for the most part, makes the user aware of breathing and aligning of the spine and helps to strengthen the deep torso muscles to make it possible to alleviate and prevent back pains. As a beginner, you will learn some simple pilates moves before you go on to use a pilates machine. For all the free information you’ll need to get started, please visit our website.

Mari Winsor, Aero and Supreme Pilates Exercise Basics

Mari Winsor, Aero and Supreme Pilates Exercise Basics

Many of those who are accustomed to working out and keeping fit probably use Pilates exercise as part of their regimen.

A Brief History

This great fitness technique was created by Joseph H. Pilates, from Germany, during the 1920’s. It was created based upon his experience of:

Zen meditation
Yoga
Martial Arts
Fitness Practice
Pilates Exercise Benefits

There are many benefits associated with Pilates exercise and these are as follows:

Your body becomes strong, long and lean. Also the core of your body is strengthened by concentrating on the back, posterior and stomach resulting in a strong back.
It reduces anxiety and tension at the same time as increasing strength and improving circulation, flexibility and motion.
If you use a mat properly in your Pilates exercise routine there is should be no strain or injury to your body. Plus, you won’t experience pain or become overly fatigued.
Pilates may be used as rehabilitation exercises in physical therapy.
Supreme Pilates was established by Ellen Croft. She’s a former horse training worker however, due to her great passion for this form of exercise, she was in a position to become a trainer and developed the Supreme Pilates machine as a result. This model of apparatus makes it possible for you to do Pilates more effectively and more, importantly, by yourself. There’s supplementary resistance and this makes you work your muscles harder, therefore burning more fat and calories.

With the Supreme Pilates machine, the focus is on your legs, glutes and abdominals and several of the advantages or benefits of this variety of exercise are:

Improved Metabolism
Increased lean muscular mass
Increased energy
Toned and sculpted body
Increased relaxation
Decreased fat percentage
Aero Pilates is another form which is concerned with cardio-vascular health and when exercising, your targetheart rate is accomplished effectively. There are specific types of equipment involved and these are:
The reformer – this you can use in the comfort of your own home whilst providing a complete body workout. Thirty two resistance moves are supported.
Metal machine – this mainly concentrates on producing a controlled and targeted movement thus maintaining a fit body.
Cardio rebounder – this is similar to exercising on a trampoline and increases cardiovascular exertion. This is stress-free on joints so if particularly helpful if you’ve joint pains or troubles.
Mari Winsor Pilates, may also be carried out in the comfort of your own home and is appropriate for both beginners and more experienced followers. One of the exercises deals with flexing of the backbone and this is important, especially if you spend a good deal of time sitting at the computer, the TV or even driving. Although primarily focussing on the spine and its flexibility, your shoulders and hips are also included in the moves.

Winsor also concentrated on the breathing side of exercising, principally breathing from the diaphram. This may appear difficult initially but when you train and grow accustomed to it, you’ll discover it becomes second nature.

Before you decide on a Pilates method make sure you choose the right approach for you. Visit Nathan’s website and learn more about Aero Pilates, Winsor, Stott and Supreme Pilates and much more.

How Pilates Exercise Enhances Your Immune System

How Pilates Exercise Enhances Your Immune System

We’ve always known that exercise is good for us, but generally, we think in terms of exercise being good for us by keeping our muscles in good shape and keeping our weight down. But, did you know that Pilates exercise can also boost the immune system, and help keep you from getting sick? It absolutely can. Pilates works with our immune system in a variety of ways that help us resist illnesses.

When the muscles are stretched, circulation improves. This, combined with the deep breathing associated with Pilates exercise, brings more oxygen to our muscles, creating healthier cells throughout our bodies. This is one way that our immune systems are boosted through Pilates.

Pilates is great for calming our nervous systems and relieving stress. Stress and anxiety work to tear the immune system down. By eliminating the stress and anxiety, Pilates is working to keep us healthy.

Our immune systems are also boosted and strengthened by our own minds. The mind is incredibly powerful. You’ve probably heard the statement “If you think it, you can become it.” This is absolutely true. Most people experience an overall feeling of well-being when they do Pilates exercises on a regular basis. This feeling of well-being makes us feel well, and our health is automatically boosted by this feeling.

Another way that the system is boosted through Pilates is that when we do Pilates exercises, our brains produce more chemicals that are vital to our well-being, such as serotonin and endorphins. This not only adds to our feeling of well-being, but it actually boosts the immune system, by ensuring that our brains are functioning properly, releasing the right amounts of chemicals that it is supposed to release.

So, the next time you finish your Pilates exercise workout, you can walk away knowing that you not only made your muscles stronger, and balanced your mind and your body, but you’ve also boosted your immune system, which will work to keep you healthy as well!

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