A beginners guide to Pilates
If you’re new to the world of Pilates then here is your quick guide to the technique. You may have heard about classical Pilates and its numerous benefits. Classical Pilates is a mind-body exercise system developed by Joseph Pilates that aims to build strength, improve flexibility, and promote overall wellness. In this blog piece, we will delve into the benefits of classical Pilates specifically for beginners and explain why it’s worth exploring our matwork sessions or finding a studio nearby where you can explore the technique for yourself.
1. Core Strength and Stability
One of the fundamental principles of classical Pilates is the development of core strength. Core muscles include not only the abdominals but also the back, hips, and glutes. By engaging these muscles during each exercise, beginners can develop a solid foundation of core stability. This increased core strength promotes better posture, balance, and body alignment. In time this will help you improve your posture and your performance in all sports or physical activities.
2. Improved Flexibility
Classical Pilates incorporates a wide range of movements that work through multiple planes of motion. This helps in elongating the muscles, promoting flexibility, and enhancing joint mobility. As a beginner, you’ll gradually learn to move your body in different ways, leading to improved flexibility and a greater range of motion over time. As Joe Pilates used to say ‘you are only as young as your spine is flexible’!
3. Increased Body Awareness
Pilates emphasizes body awareness, teaching you how to understand, identify, and engage specific muscles during each exercise. This heightened sense of body awareness is invaluable, as it helps beginners develop better control over their movements, prevent injuries, and improve overall coordination. Whether you are working on the mat or on the many pieces of pilates apparatus (including the reformer, wunda chair, cadillac and barrels to name but a few!) you will soon find that your spatial awareness improves and again this can carry over to other areas of your life and physical activities.
4. Full Body Conditioning
Although core strength is a primary focus of classical Pilates, it also offers a full-body workout. Pilates exercises target various muscle groups, including the arms, legs, and even smaller stabilizing muscles. As a beginner, you’ll gradually build strength in these areas, leading to improved muscle tone and overall body conditioning. Whilst the beginner sessions will not aerobic, as you become more advanced and your transitions become smoother, you will start to build greater stamina and endurance.
5. Stress Relief and Mindfulness
Classical Pilates incorporates a strong emphasis on mindful movement, using breath control and mental focus. When practising Pilates, beginners discover the ability to let go of stress and release tension. The combination of physical exercises and mindful awareness helps to relax the mind and create a sense of overall well-being.
6. Injury Rehabilitation and Prevention
Classical Pilates is often used as a form of injury rehabilitation due to its low-impact nature. The controlled movements and focus on core stability can strengthen weakened muscles and improve joint mobility. For beginners, this low-impact exercise method can help prevent injuries by increasing body awareness and promoting optimal alignment. As teachers we like to say that even if you are injured, you are ‘99% well’ and we can work to safely modify all of the exercises.
Conclusion
Classical Pilates offers a multitude of benefits for beginners, including enhanced core strength, improved flexibility, increased body awareness, full-body conditioning, stress relief, and injury prevention.
As you begin your journey into classical Pilates with the Silver Linings team of experts, remember to start with the basics and gradually progress at your own pace. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way to ensure proper form and technique. Embrace the mind-body connection and enjoy the transformative journey that lies ahead in the world of classical Pilates.
‘Pilates is complete coordination of the body, mind and spirit’
To discover the Silver Linings Pilates sessions and so much more head to our YouTube channel Silver Linings by Chrissy
