Pilates is more than merely a workout to help increase one’s level of fitness. Any person who has been doing Pilates can tell you that it not only sculpts your body and improves your fitness level, but will also clear your energy and mind. Despite Pilates being a popular meditation option, there are people that continue to wonder about the health benefits of the Pilates method. This article will provide information on the different benefits of Pilates for health and wellness.
1. Improving Your Memory
Evidence has found that people begin to lose approximately 1% of the brain’s hippocampal volume from their late 20s onwards. The hippocampus is the section of the brain involves in cognitive functioning and memory, meaning that the brains are shrinking.
For a long time, scientists thought that individuals were born with a specific number of brain cells, but it was recently discovered that the brain is able to form new cells and reverse brain shrinking. This results in improved memory, better learning, and a higher IQ. One method of this is via meditation and mindful movement practice like Pilates.
2. Training The Brain
According to researchers from the University of Oxford, learning new activities can increase the density of white matter within the brain. The white matter includes fibers in the brain that allow neurons to communicate and if the neurons do not communicate they will eventually die. Learning new activities is important as it stimulates neurons and promotes connection in the brain. According to Pilates instructor Anne Bishop, learning new movements in a Pilates routine offers the stimulating effect needed by the body and mind to improve training.
3. Deeper Muscle Activation Resulting In Better Nervous System Functioning
Each time a person uses specific areas of the brain, the brain sends a message to the muscle fibers through the spinal cord, and the activity is performed. Of course, the movement is far more complex than this; however, the simplified description helps indicate how a brain communicates with muscles in the body.
When one learns how to engage specific muscles voluntarily, you trigger a movement chain and activate a cleansing action for the nervous system. This is beneficial because a healthy nervous system increases positive communication between the brain and other parts of the body, as well as the release of mood-boosting and anxiety-reducing hormones.
4. Calming The Mind And Emotions
The most well-known benefits of Pilates for health and wellness are to calm the mind and emotions. Meditation is known to help relieve sensations of stress, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and addiction. It can also assist with physical problems including high blood pressure, insomnia (which can be stress-related), and cardiovascular issues.
The sensation of calm is gained by concentrating on the body exclusively. Whether you want to or not, you will need to clear your mind of distractions when performing Pilates movements; thereby, allowing you to reap the benefits of meditation without feeling as if you are wasting time.
As can be seen, the use of Pilates can be highly beneficial for a person. Using the information above, you can determine if Pilates is the best option for your needs.