Introduction to Pilates

By Maria Sanchez

Pilates promotes, among other things, proper back and spinal alignment, good posture, and flexibility. Furthermore, a person who does pilates regularly builds up his or her body's strength, fluid movement, strength, tone, and balance. Pilates is regarded as a total fitness system, since the participant's "center," the link between his or her body and consciousness are enhanced with pilates.

Pilates for beginners does not require high levels of fitness to be done. It should be easy for a first timer, whether man or woman, young or old, as long as a physician has cleared one's bill of health. There are factors, though that anyone considering pilates for beginners should take into account. Lack of physical activity for a long time and the presence of medical conditions should deter someone from practicing pilates unless a specific program designed by a fitness professional can suit that person.

Pilates for beginners should be avoided if one is currently under over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication or drugs that alter one's mood. Alcohol should not be consumed before practicing pilates. If one feels sick, such as flu or fever, or is currently injured, pilates should be avoided until after full recovery. It is advisable to do pilates two hours after eating a meal.

Clothing is an essential factor in pilates for beginners to make it a worthwhile experience. To encourage free and flowing movement, people doing pilates should avoid tight-fitting outfits like cycling shorts, leotards, leggings, and muscle shirts. Pants with garter waistbands should not be worn. Accessories can be left first. The person doing pilates should be comfortable and streamlined in the fashion sense.

As in any exercise system, pilates for beginners should first do warm-up exercises. Common pilates warm up exercises include the arm reach and pull, which stabilizes the scapular and shoulder bone movements; arms over which stabilizes the person's trunk and adds to the shoulder's flexibility; angel arms, which lets the person become more conscious of the link between the movements of his arms and shoulders with his back and ribcage; and imprinting, which should provide relaxation and is a good warm-up exercise even with other exercise systems like weight training.

The surge of pilates popularity, especially among Hollywood elite, has downgraded the credibility of pilates. More than just a mere fad, pilates has proven to bring a lot of benefits to its practitioners. A person doing pilates becomes mindful of functions that are usually taken for granted, such as breathing, pelvic and spinal alignment, and fluid movement. As a result, people doing pilates are rewarded with physiques with long and lean muscles and aligned, elegant postures. - 31994

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