If you are the type that doesn’t like the gym very much, but you need to keep your body moving, exercise your mind and stretch, pilates is a physical exercise that may be perfect for you. “It is a method of physical and mental conditioning created by the German Joseph Pilates. The movements promote the gain of flexibility and strengthening of the body in an integrated and individualized way”, explains the physiotherapist Jéssica de Cnop.
Advantages of practice
In addition to offering a range of benefits for the bodyas it improves joint mobility, breathing capacity and flexibility, pilates also helps to work the mind, fight anxiety, reduce stress and fatigue, define muscles and improve quality of life.
According to Jéssica de Cnop, the practice can also be indicated by a doctor, “to treat any condition, for example, for knee, spine, respiratory problems, in short, for numerous pathological or dysfunctional conditions”.
Who is Pilates for?
Pilates is suitable for anyone, even children, depending on the modality and needs of each one. “It can be practiced by the most different groups, from athletes to sedentary people, from the elderly to teenagers and from pregnant women to patients undergoing rehabilitation”, says Rafael Vasconcelos, physiotherapist and pilates specialist.
Still according to the professional, pilates exercise can also be recommended for conditioning and injury prevention. “That is, anyone, between 12 and 100 years old, and at all levels of fitness, you can practice pilates, as long as individual differences and the principles of sports training are respected”, analyzes Rafael Vasconcelos.
What types of pilates?
Currently, the method of physical and mental conditioning has different types and each one has its particularities. Meet two of them:
Solo Pilates (Mat Pilates)
Practiced on the mat with the use of accessories such as balls, flex ring, tube and elastic band. Widely used in gyms, but there must always be attention to the use of the principles of the method; otherwise, the class will be just one series of sit-ups.
pilates in studio
Practiced in the devices developed by Joseph Pilates, such as reformer, trapeze, barrel and chair. They are equipment that allow a huge variety of exercises for different muscles and serve as mechanisms to hinder or help the practitioner.
It is also a practice widely used for the rehabilitation of various joint disorders, such as back pain, knee and postural problems. It is very common for pilates solo and studio to be used in the same class.
Source: Maxima
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