Pilates Physical Fitness System

Pilates is a safe and sensible exercise system that enhances muscle-strength, posture, flexibility and balance by strengthening the whole body. The exercise system was created by Joseph Pilates in the early 1990s and it incorporates martial arts, elements of yoga and some forms of Western exercises. Pilates was initially used by professional dancers in the US. However, in the recent past, the exercise system has increasingly gained popularity among women around the globe including celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Madonna.

Pilates has several benefits including increased flexibility, posture, circulation and abdominal strength. In additional, the exercise system alleviates neck, joint and back pain. Pilates promotes a refreshing mind and body. It achieves this by improving breathing, correcting pelvic and spinal alignment as well as enhancing the quality of your movements. Proper breathing reduces stress and assists you in executing maximum body efficiency and power.

Another benefit of Pilates exercise system is developing a strong core, flat abdomen and a strong back. The core is composed of the abdominal muscles, the muscles close to your spine, the shoulders and pelvis girdle. Other than developing a stronger back and body, the workout program promotes a flatter midsection/abdomen by trimming down the body. This is essential in enhancing the functionality, balance and flexibility that the body requires to function optimally.

Most workout programs tend to work on the same muscles. As a result, the strong muscles become much stronger while the weak muscles become weaker. This causes muscular imbalance which is the major cause of chronic back pain and injury. However, by using Pilates exercise system, your whole body is conditioned. Pilates does not under-train or over-train certain muscle groups. Your entire body is evenly conditioned and balanced to enable you enjoy sports and normal daily activities with greater ease, less chance of injury and improved performance. Numerous professional teams use Pilates in their training programs to improve joint mobility and muscle elasticity.

According to health and exercise experts, Pilates has increasingly gained popularity because it creates body awareness. It shapes your life and provides lessons when you are doing your daily activities. Whether you are brushing your teeth, mowing the lawn or doing dishes, Pilates will always teach your body and mind to create coordination and build symmetry. As your body tries to achieve symmetry and coordination, you learn to control your activities or practice willpower.

This exercise program is suitable for people of all ages, gender and at all levels of fitness. A qualified teacher can tailor the workout program to the needs of an individual. For older people, the program can be tailored to increase posture, balance, breathing and coordination. Older people require gentle exercises to boost their mobility. People of all fitness levels can use this workout program. You don’t need to be fit to start the exercises. In fact, Pilates can also challenge people who are very fit. However, before you can start this exercise program, you need to consult your doctor or a medical professional especially if you got an injury or health concerns.

Pilates on Mats or Pilates with Apparatus?

Joseph Pilates rarely worked with groups. His exercises were tailored to meet an individual’s specific needs. However, Pilates used both equipment and mat exercises with his students. The mat exercises were meant to allow the students to practice at home. Experts recommend the use of the whole system (both exercises with equipment and on the mat) for maximum benefits and results. Pilates on Mats allows you to exercise on the mat while at times using small equipment like gym balls and stretch bands.

If you have certain medical conditions or limitations, equipment-based Pilates is more suitable for you because the apparatus can offer a variety of movements and the workout program can be tailored to your needs. Pilates with Apparatus is more expensive. But if you can afford it, experts recommend both Mat Exercises and Exercises with Equipment.

Pilates significantly transforms the way your body works, feels and looks. This exercise program builds strength, creates a strong core, develops a toned body and helps alleviate neck, joint and back pain. Whether you a runner, new mom, professional athlete, golfer or tennis player, Pilates will improve your abdominal strength, range of motion, circulation, posture and flexibility.

My own tips on how to become more happy and healthy

If you’re like me, before you even wake up in the morning you’re dreaming about coffee. A simple way to improve your health and wake yourself up is to drink water first thing in the morning. No, you don’t have to skip coffee. Just hydrate before you caffeinate. Make eating healthy fun and you’re more likely to eat healthy. It seems pretty simple, right? If you like waffles for breakfast, but don’t want the blood sugar crash later in the afternoon, find a healthy waffle recipe. I make mine out of coconut flower and top it with fresh strawberries instead of artificial syrup. Simple healthy swaps will leave you happier and give you more energy, which is obviously what we all want.

Wake up to a clean room

You want to know how I don’t want to start my morning? A) falling out of bed and b) literally tripping into my day because my room is a disaster. Form a healthy habit of waking up 5-10 minutes earlier to pick up your room. Put on some really good music too because that helps a lot. When your space is cleaner, your mind is cleaner. When there’s clutter everywhere, it’s easier for me to get frustrated. Ten minutes every day is better than an all day cleaning on Saturday. Am I right?

Write down your thoughts

I’m not really sure what it is about writing that clears your head, but it does. There’s something about getting all of your feelings out on paper. It’s almost like seeing your feelings on paper puts everything into perspective. Whenever I take time to sit and read and write out my thoughts, I always leave feeling happier. Speaking of being happier, do yourself a favor and go into all of your social media, your Tumblr, your Instagram, your Twitter and un-follow everyone who pours negativity into your life. You will feel much happier.

A fool-proof way of being happier and healthier is to get outside. Fresh air and sunshine does the body good and there’s something about salt water that makes me happier than almost anything.

Exercise

Going for the no brainer - get to the gym. I’m going to show you what’s in my gym bag. I have a sore muscle bar. I also have this really cute little sweat towel that says “I eat burpies for breakfast”, and then I have my electrolyte drink, which helps recover muscles, of course hair ties and hair bands, a little sanitizing refresh wipe, I love these after the gym, my headphones and obviously my wallet and now it’s time to zip up and head off to the gym.

Then I put my hair up into a ponytail or a bun. I really like wearing headbands too. Then it’s time to put your headphones in and I love warming up with a jump rope. This really gets your heart rate up. I feel like it’s a great warm-up to do just for a minute or two just to get your heart rate going and then I pick up weights and I’ll do lunges, push ups and jump squats. Circuit training is my favorite way to work out because it keeps your heart rate up, it keeps your muscles getting stronger and healthier and I feel better. Jump squats are one of the things that I’m working on right now. If you want to improve your fitness level, do jump squats. They will increase your heart rate, they will just work every muscle, lower muscles, every muscle that you have. I don’t have words. I’m dead after doing them. You can do lunges and you can do all of these things without using weights. When I’m done doing a super hard working out I feel joy, I feel happy. Yay!

Make To-do lists

lists make me happier. I don’t know why. Just try it. Just make a list every morning. My number one tip to being healthier and happier is to go for a walk. I love walking or running or chasing after your dog because he’s running after seagulls. Walking is great exercise because it’s easy on your joints and whenever I take a long walk, especially if it’s outside, my mood is significantly increased. I love walking and I love being outside. It’s my number one tip to being healthier and happier.

It’s all about feeling well

You ultimately have to remember that being healthy and happy doesn’t just happen by eating fruit or going for a jog. It’s not about how you look or always being in a good mood. It’s about wellbeing. It’s about taking care of yourself mentally and physically. It’s about learning that it’s okay to cry yourself to sleep and then wake up happy. You’re not crazy, you’re normal. The sun is going to keep rising and setting.

And you know what? Everything is going to be ok…