What is Pilates…
Pilates offers a range of benefits for people of all ages and abilities, including increased strength, mobility, and pain relief.
Pilates is a beneficial form of exercise that incorporates a full-body movement practice to increase overall strength, mobility, and function. It can be practiced on a mat using body weight or with specialized spring-based equipment like Reformers and the Cadillacs.
Developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates (originally called 'Contrology'), Pilates focuses on controlled movements to improve overall body function.
These days many physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, and other medical and allied healthcare professionals refer patients to Pilates for the numerous evidence-based health benefits the practice provides, such as:
Increased muscle tone
Increased range of motion (ROM)
Improved active posture and core stability
Injury prevention, injury recovery, pain relief
Sports cross-training
How can Pilates benefit your game, sports or other physical activities?
Pilates can improve your golf game by increasing your range of motion for a more powerful swing, reducing pain and improving endurance for a full round, and enhancing body awareness for better swing mechanics. It can improve endurance and coordination in all sports activities, as well as reduce overload and overuse from repetitive motion injuries, reducing the likelihood of sport-related pain or injury.
How can Pilates benefit Active and Functional Aging across the lifespan?
Pilates offers a multitude of benefits for active and functional aging across the lifespan. It improves full-body mobility, reducing common restrictions that come with age. This improved mobility translates to better balance, significantly reducing the likelihood of falls. Pilates also strengthens the body, which increases confidence in one's physical abilities and helps with daily activities (ADLs). You'll experience sustained endurance throughout the day with less fatigue, and even find it easier to get down and up from the floor. On top of that, Pilates promotes better posture and reduces common aches and stiffness, making everyday movement more enjoyable.
What conditions can Pilates assist in Rehabilitation?
Pilates is a powerful rehabilitation tool, aiding recovery from musculoskeletal injuries (both recent and chronic), post-surgical procedures (including joint replacements and pre-surgical prep), and even supporting post-partum recovery. It can even help prevent the need for surgery in some mild cases by promoting strength, flexibility, and musculoskeletal balance.
Overall, there is considerable evidence to suggest that Pilates is an effective workout technique with numerous benefits that can help participants improve their daily lives, increase their success in physical activities, improve their golf game and other sports, recover from procedures or injuries, and strengthen the body throughout the life span. A Pilates practice is a great addition to any wellness regimen for any age or activity level! All sessions are tailored to the client's unique history, goals, and needs.