Heal Yourself Through Pilates

Pilates is described as a very gentle yet an extremely powerful way of being acquainted with your body.

Pilates is efficient in overcoming fatigue, limited movement as well as decreased strength. Pilates is similarly beneficial in preventing complications like pain, stiffness, or lymphedema.

Most of you are aware of Pilates as a popular form of exercise. Probably, the very thought of Pilates as an exercise form conjures up the image of muscles.

But let me tell you, although Pilates is instrumental in making you strong, it does not add bulky muscles. Instead, it helps you in making you more flexible.

Furthermore, it is also helpful in preventing injuries.

Although Pilates is now a part of our vocabulary, it is not yet understood properly. Though Pilates is helpful in reducing fat and the effect of time on us, it enjoys a position far beyond sheer cosmetic benefits.

Pilates is actually a philosophy involving the connection between the mind and body, lightness of spirit, breathing technique, etc.

While some believe it to produce effects similar to yoga, some say it makes them feel lighter, while a few others declare they are feeling taller as well as more confident after just a single session.

Pilates comes with a history:

Formulated by Joseph Pilates, this method of exercising was originally designed to rehabilitate war prisoners. The equipment used for this method of exercise was very simple – keg rings and bedsprings.

Pilates also incorporated yoga, Greek philosophy, and Zen Buddhism in Pilates. After building a reputation as a healer and physical trainer in Europe, he along with his wife Clara, set up a studio in the year 1925.

Pilates took a number of students, although this form of exercising gained more popularity among dancers. Pilates is still popular with both dancers and gymnasts.

In the 1980s, this form of exercising gained popularity with everyday Americans.

The personal as well as professional success of Joseph Pilates is rooted in the concept of overall health.

His main focus was the development of core health, that is, building up your abdomen and spine, as he believed that flexibility and strength originating in this area is instrumental in developing flexibility and strength in the whole body.

Pilates also developed few exercises that focus on essential gliding of scapular bones - the wing bones of your back.

Pilates exercises are primarily performed on mats or some simple equipment. Most of the exercises in Pilates are performed while lying on your stomach or back, and in some cases, on your sides.

This provides support and the chance to isolate some muscles or concentrate on the large muscle groups.

Furthermore, these exercises also facilitate breathing, with inhalation as well as exhalation, coordinated with effort. This helps in nourishing your body.

Infusion into medical community:

With a balanced spiritual and scientific approach, Pilates has won acclaim in medicine, and is considered to be a suitable treatment for a number of ailments, including cancer.

Even a number of physical therapists find this approach of Pilates quite useful, and recommend them for both clinical as well as exercise regimes that are based for home.

This exercise is similarly helpful in building strength, flexibility as well as confidence in body movements. Many occupational therapists also recognize the capability of Pilates to stabilize core muscles.

This acts as the base for increased function as well as greater independence in things related to living like self-care, community activities, home care and also leisure activities.

Pilates is extremely beneficial in treating breast cancer. Now, let us go through a few points that would help you to understand how Pilates is instrumental in fighting breast cancer:

* Pilates is instrumental in improving lymphatic drainage by putting emphasis on abdominal exercises as well as deep breathing.

* As Pilates is instrumental in improving middle back musculature, it is helpful in promoting posture that is often impaired after surgery.

* Since Pilates is not in favor of repetition, it is perfect for exhausted individuals (that is very often the case after surgery).

As you can see, Pilates is beneficial for curing a number of ailments. I hope that after going through this article you believe that these exercises are not only helpful in building muscles but are helpful in treating a number of ailments as well. 

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