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10 Reasons to Try Pilates |
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By Moira Merrithew
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Once a well kept secret
among dancers and celebrities, people everywhere
are choosing to stay fit and healthy with more mindful,
less jarring exercise, such as STOTT PILATES®,
a contemporary approach to the original “mind-body”
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exercise method pioneered by the late German athlete Joseph
Pilates.
And with good reason. Such methods not only yield remarkable
results – like pain-free posture and longer, leaner
muscles – they actually feel good to do. So, whether
your interest lies in pilates-based mat classes, one-on-one
equipment-based training or personalized home workouts,
here are 10 good reasons to get started:
1 Flatten, Tone and Strengthen Abs
A constant focus on torso stability and control has
earned STOTT PILATES a reputation for yielding strong,
flat abdominal muscles.
2 Develop Longer, Leaner Muscles
Balancing strength with flexibility not only allows
you to achieve a long lean look it allows your body
to move with ease.
3 Improve Posture
Unlike Joseph Pilates’ original teachings and
conventional fitness programs which promote a flat spine,
STOTT PILATES recognizes and restores the important
shock-absorbing features of the spine’s natural
curves.
4 Prevent Injury
In addition to increasing flexibility, STOTT PILATES
exercises strengthen muscles concentrically and eccentrically
(resistance on both on the ‘in’ and ‘out’
movement). This improves muscular control, which prevents
injuries.
5 Increase Circulation, Relieve Tension
An emphasis on breathing not only oxygenates the blood
and replenishes cells throughout the body, it also increases
blood flow to the brain, which helps with focus and
has a revitalizing effect.
6 Enhance Body Awareness
By identifying and strengthening the body’s deeper
support system – the muscles of the torso –
you learn how to move efficiently. Lifting, walking,
even running become the easy-to-accomplish tasks they
should be.
7 Balance Strength with Flexibility
Most of us have over-trained our muscles by doing too
much forward bending and not enough stretching and strengthening
of the back. Similarly, athletes tend to overuse certain
muscles while neglecting others. STOTT PILATES works
on rebalancing the muscles around the joints to enhance
performance and reduce the chance of injury.
8 Heighten Concentration
By being conscious of your muscles and how to control
them, you gradually strengthen the powerful mind-body
connection. This heightened awareness and focus carries
over into everyday life.
9 Enhance Athletic Performance
Dancers have sworn by pilates-based exercise for years
because of the performance enhancement, focus and injury
prevention it promotes. Today, everyone from pro golfers
to Olympic athletes are using it to improve their ‘games.’
10 Boost Self-Esteem!
Because the method of exercise feels so good to do and
yields noticeable results, you’ll feel great about
yourself!
As people continue to seek a better quality life –
free of aches and pains – more mindful exercise
will continue to gain popularity.
Remember, as with any conditioning program, make sure
you have your doctor’s okay before getting started,
and that you attend classes with a certified instructor.
STOTT PILATES Certified Instructors are among the most
qualified in the industry.
To find out more about STOTT PILATES training, certification,
videos or equipment, check out www.stottpilates.com
or call 1-800-910-0001.
Moira Merrithew is the Executive Director, Education
and co-founder of STOTT PILATES.
ä Trademark of Merrithew Corporation, used under
license.
Copyright 2001 Merrithew Corporation.
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