Weekend Workouts Blog Post Six: Pilates
Image Source: www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au
Pilates is a physical fitness system that was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates. It involves exercises performed on the floor on mats, or on specially designed equipment in studios. Pilates uses a range of techniques to facilitate improved body awareness, strength, flexibility, coordination and stamina.
Pilates is ideal for all levels of fitness and is an all-inclusive exercise routine that is goal-specific and time effective. It is a low impact workout to help you achieve leaner, longer and stronger muscles comfortably and safely through their full range of movement, without repeating the learned mistakes of inappropriate training.
Some benefits of regular Pilates are:
- improve strength, flexibility and balance
- engage the mind and enhance body awareness
- tone and build long, lean muscles without bulk
- condition efficient patterns of movement to make the body less susceptible to injury
- challenge deep abdominal muscles to support the core
- restore postural alignment
- create a stronger, more flexible spine
- promote recovery from strain or injury
- increase joint range of motion
- improve circulation
- offer relief from back pain and joint stress
- enhance mobility, agility and stamina
- develop functional fitness for daily life activity
- improve the way your body looks and feels, and
- reduce stress, relieve tension and boost energy through deep stretching.
We recommend that you discuss Pilates as an option with your doctor as there two streams of Pilates. Physiotherapist run classes for fewer participants, known as clinical Pilates and fitness based Pilates run but fitness professionals, usually larger classes. Many private health insurance funds provide rebates for clinical Pilates to find your nearest Pilates class contact your local council, fitness center, physiotherapist or community center. It is recommended that you attend the class of an accredited Pilates instructor who is a member of a reputable association, such as Pilates Alliance of Australasia (PAA) or the Australian Pilates Method of Australia (APMA).
For women who have undergone breast cancer surgery, BCNA offers the Strengthen Your Recovery Pilates program which was specifically designed to support recovery in the 10 weeks after surgery. The exercise program is carefully structured around three phases of recovery after surgery. It is available on DVD and is accompanied by an 8-page booklet containing important information and guidelines. It offers easy-to-follow, gentle Pilates exercises and instructions on regaining strength and easing discomfort.
The Strengthen Your Recovery program assists by:
- Helping relieving neck, shoulder and back pain which can be common after breast cancer surgery
- Promoting drainage of lymph fluids to reduce the risk of lymphoedema
- Restoring normal posture and movement after surgery
- Improving flexibility, strength, confidence and wellbeing.
The program was developed by BCNA with a breast cancer survivor and qualified Pilates instructor. We also drew on the expertise of a specialist physiotherapist to guide the development of the program. Strengthen Your Recovery was funded through a generous donation by The Estee Lauder Companies.
The Strengthen Your Recovery DVD is included in the My Care Kit. If you did not receive a My Care Kit, but would like a copy of the DVD, please phone BCNA on 1800 500 258.
May you be Mindful message.
“The present moment is all that is available to us, and it is the door to all moments.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh
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References:
Department of Health & Human Services, State Government of Victoria 2016, Pilates and yoga - health benefits, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/pilates-and-yoga-health-benefits, viewed May 2016.
Pilates Fitness Institute 2016, What is Pilates?, http://www.pfiwa.com.au/start/what-is-pilates/, viewed May 2016.
Comments
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Great post! I used to go to Body Balance classes (combination of Tai Chi, Pilates and yoga), but more recently I've been doing clinical Pilates as I have a lower back injury. I like having the small class size (maximum of four) and the physiotherapist's supervision.
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