The Benefits of Pilates for the Elderly, Pregnant Women and Children

The Pilates method is a sequence of low-impact movements developed by the German Joseph Pilates in the 1920s. It combines breathing exercises, stretching, and physical exercise. What are its advantages?

Pilates

Pilates

Pilates can be practiced on the floor or with special equipment (The Reformer): a kind of raised bed to which many accessories are attached. Its original inventor Joseph Pilates created it with the aim of healing injured dancers and helping them regain complete and total control over their bodies. Pilates also advocated a better quality of life through the connection between body and mind.

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What are the benefits of Pilates?

Improved flexibility

The stretching in Pilates provides greater flexibility to muscle tissue. Combined with more physical exercises, it helps the body to maintain a natural and correct posture.

Improved blood circulation

The physical exercises of this method improve blood circulation and cardiac fitness.

Less stress and fatigue

Pilates practice helps to reduce the stress and fatigue accumulated during the day. It is a sport, but it is also associated with pleasure and relaxation.

Improving your physical condition

Exercises performed during a Pilates session improve physical fitness, stamina, and strength. The muscles are strengthened, especially the core.

Improved breathing

Breathing is one of the basic principles of Pilates and is greatly improved by frequent practice of the method.

Improvement of sleep quality

Physical exercises in general improve the quality of sleep. Pilates contributes even more to improving sleep with its breathing techniques that aim to relax the body.

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For whom is Pilates suitable?

The adaptability of Pilates is the key to the success of this method, which is designed for a wide range of profiles. All exercises are developed with level adjustments that allow safe and stimulating training for all types of people: injured or rehabilitated athletes, pregnant women, the elderly, teenagers, etc.

Pilates for older people

Physical activity is important at any age, but sometimes older people can have difficulties with it. As we get older, bones and muscles lose strength, and exercises involving heavy loads can be problematic for the joints. Pilates helps with motor coordination of the limbs. In Pilates, the exercises are less aggressive, making the system a preferred activity for older people.

Pilates for pregnant women

Exercise is important for pregnant women, and the Pilates method brings them several benefits, the most important of which is perineal strengthening. The perineum supports the body’s organs, including the uterus where the baby is during pregnancy. The perineal muscle also contributes to a smooth birth. In addition, because pilates is a low-impact system of movements it is recommended for both pregnant and elderly women.

Finally, stretching reduces back pain, reinforcing the part of the body that supports the spine and which may suffer from the baby’s extra weight during pregnancy. In addition, due to the weight of the baby, the pregnant woman may need to watch her posture, and Pilates can help her do this.

Pilates for children

Pilates practice is also suitable for children as it helps correct posture and strengthens the muscles important for their growth. It also increases their concentration.

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References

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/everything-you-want-to-know-about-pilates/

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