Pilates – A holistic approach to strength, flexibility, and control

Pilates is a versatile form of exercise that not only strengthens your body but also improves your body awareness and control. By focusing on breathing, precision, and control, Pilates can help you build a stronger, more balanced, and more flexible body. The method emphasizes building a strong core, improving posture, and increasing flexibility through a series of controlled movements and exercises. Pilates combines strength, flexibility, and body control to create a holistic approach to training.

Benefits of Pilates

Pilates places great emphasis on strengthening the core muscles, especially the deep abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor. These muscles are crucial for stabilizing the spine and supporting the body’s movements. A strong core helps improve posture and provides a solid foundation for other forms of exercise and everyday movements.

By performing Pilates exercises with precision and control, you can gradually improve your flexibility and increase the range of motion in your joints. The exercises open up the body and make you more supple, which also promotes better movement mechanics in daily life.

In Pilates, every movement is connected to the breath, which increases your body control and awareness of how the muscles work. This allows you to perform both daily activities and other types of training with greater precision and efficiency.

Like other forms of exercise, Pilates helps reduce stress. The combination of breathing and focus on body movements promotes relaxation and relieves tension.

Pilates and breathing technique

The pelvic floor muscles provide essential support for the lower spine and contribute to a strong core. When we train Pilates, the pelvic floor works continuously, as it is needed in the type of breathing that optimal technique requires. Instead of the classic “shallow” breathing that occurs in the chest, Pilates breathing is lateral through the ribcage. This type of breathing not only promotes better oxygenation but also supports the engagement of core muscles and encourages relaxation.

The role of the feet in Pilates

The feet play a crucial role in Pilates for maintaining balance and stability. By alternating between flexing and pointing the feet, different muscle groups are activated, helping to optimize the effectiveness of the training. In Pilates, it’s common to extend the foot and point the toes, but certain exercises require flexed feet to engage the muscles in a different way.

At Livity, we offer Pilates programs adapted for different levels. With these programs, you can improve your core strength, flexibility, and body control in an effective and time-efficient way. Our sessions are designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of prior experience, and they help you maximize the benefits of Pilates in your training.

The golden rules of Pilates

Breathe consciously: In Pilates, breathing is an integral part of the practice. Coordinate your movements with your breath to improve both control and stability.

Engage your core muscles: Your deep abdominal muscles should always be activated to support the spine and stabilize the body.

Precision and control: Perform movements slowly and with control to avoid momentum and maximize training effectiveness.

Rest when needed: Listen to your body and take breaks when necessary to avoid overexertion or injury.

The six principles of Pilates

Pilates is built on six fundamental principles that guide all movements and exercises:

Centering: All movement begins from the body’s center – your core.

Concentration: Full mental presence and focus are required during each exercise.

Control: All movements are performed with precision and mindful control.

Precision: Correct execution is more important than the number of repetitions.

Breathing: Breathing is coordinated with movements to increase oxygen flow to the muscles.

Flow: Movements are performed in a smooth and continuous flow.

By following these principles, Pilates helps to strengthen the entire body and improve both physical and mental health. With Livity’s Pilates programs, you can create a stronger, more supple, and more balanced body – no matter your fitness level.