Summary: Anna Wehr - EzineArticles Expert Author
Schooled in the fine arts with an emphasis in drawing and photography. When I'm not working for money, I am at the gym or in my special space working on mind-body movement and connection.
Pilates has gained a lot of attraction due to the capacity to
reshape the body. It should be remembered, however, that each
person has his or her own individual body shape. It is important to
work with what you are to have. You need to recognize that you
cannot totally changes shape. The human body can be classified into
three basic shapes. These are known as the ectomorph, the mesomorph
and the endomorph.
Date Published: Jul 12, 2011 - 7:59 am
Pilates can be done at any time and there are advantages to
practice both the beginning and the end of the day. Morning Pilates
can be especially energizing if you find it difficult to wake up.
In the evening, it can be useful for winding down - it really is a
personal preference.
Date Published: Jul 12, 2011 - 6:41 am
Pilates is not an aerobic exercise to be carried out robotically to
the thumping sounds of deafening music. Pilates is focused and
there is awareness that is brought to the flowing breath. Each
position is carried out with precision and the practitioner is
encouraged to maintain a constant connection between the mind and
the body, feeding information between the two. This is truly a
holistic approach to physical, as well as, mental health.
Date Published: Jul 11, 2011 - 3:25 pm
Born near Dusseldorf, Germany in 1880, Joseph was a sickly child
and was plagued with rickets asthma and rheumatic fever. Because of
these ailments, he explored and practiced bodybuilding gymnastics,
diving and other physical pursuits. Joseph studied both Eastern and
Western philosophies and the forms of exercise that was influenced
by the Greek and Roman societies.
Date Published: Jul 11, 2011 - 3:19 pm
As with any good Pilates session you should warm up in order to
mobilize and stabilize the central core, and have the opportunity
to stretch all the muscles in preparation for more demanding
exercises. These gentle actions will make you aware of the
importance of creating a strong, stable central core from which all
of your movement will stem.
Date Published: Jul 11, 2011 - 2:41 pm
The feel-good endorphins that are released during exercise played
crucial role in keeping good spirits and giving you
self-confidence. It really does feel good to keep active. With
Pilates you can feel like you move more gracefully and freely
during a time when your body's expanding. Also, Pilates will give
you a good excuse for a little "me-time."
Date Published: Jul 11, 2011 - 2:16 pm
During pregnancy, your fitness priorities change. As you progress
month by month, your exercise needs will change. Pregnancy is when
your body undergoes a myriad of emotional, physical and hormonal
changes. Exercises you choose during pregnancy must take these
changes into account. At this point you're looking at maintenance,
not to lose weight or to get super-fit. What you need is an
exercise method that prepares you for labor and motherhood.
Date Published: Jul 11, 2011 - 1:57 pm
Pregnancy in a time when you have a lot of new things to cope with,
and because of your hormonal imbalances you can feel very unstable,
emotionally. The next time you feel under pressure, just stop and
take note of what parts of your body are tense-is it your jaw? Is
it your neck? Do your shoulders fill tight? Maybe your back is
really bothering you.
Date Published: Jul 11, 2011 - 1:42 pm
Pilates is different from other forms of exercise because it
approaches fitness as holistic by combining the training of the
mind and body to achieve alignment. The Pilates system encompasses
the entire body, rather than targeting problem areas so you benefit
even more. Keep in mind, as a beginner, that the process is more
important than the result and the aim is not to achieve a dancer's
body but one that is truly yours and naturally aligned.
Date Published: Jul 11, 2011 - 1:39 pm
Today, Pilates is found everywhere. It is taught in private
studios, fitness centers, used in medical facilities and academic
institutions. Pilates is used with people ranging from elite
athletes to those requiring physical rehabilitation. This could be
one of the reasons for the boom in popularity is that it is so
adaptable.
Date Published: Jul 11, 2011 - 1:34 pm
Joseph Pilates recognized that each person has different
capabilities and his opening statement claims that the mind and
body are linked, and that the condition of the body influences the
state of the mind. This is continuously reinforced in his writing
and his teachings and he reiterates how physical condition relates
to happiness and to many other mental states. He postured that by
reawakening dormant muscle cells we awaken dormant brain cells.
Date Published: Jul 11, 2011 - 9:40 am
A common problem with many people is tension they hold in the
shoulders. Most of us sit at a computer, and that lends itself to
misalignment in the body. If you shoulders are rounded or tight,
the strain will eventually radiate up to your neck and down to your
pelvis. While you are at your desk you're probably not thinking
about correct posture, but it's only a matter of time before the
strain will be felt somewhere else.
Date Published: Jul 11, 2011 - 9:14 am
Here are four principles that should be remembered while practicing
Pilates. They are centering yourself, gaining control, being
efficient, and creating a flow. These are part of the foundation of
Pilates mind-body system. They are useful for teachers as well as
students to understand and master the Pilates method. These are
what makes Pilates unique. They stem from three higher principles
that are linked to the philosophy behind them.
Date Published: Jul 11, 2011 - 7:44 am
There are powerful benefits that enhance emotional well-being,
which prevent anxiety and depression, and will lead to more
fulfilling life. A healthy frame of mind and a sense of freedom can
lead to an inner calm and confidence. Since Pilates and yoga are
not fads or quick fixes, they are not boring either. You must have
a clear mind because both Pilates and yoga require focus and
mindfulness.
Date Published: Jul 11, 2011 - 7:10 am
The enormous popularity of Pilates is because it is far reaching,
it is diverse, it improves fitness and athletic performance, it
improves appearance and it facilitates a sense of well-being. It
takes time to make change. It takes a commitment to make change. It
will yield benefits from practicing Pilates, it will be a
discipline. Dedicating yourself to regular sessions, three times a
week for at minimum six weeks changes will be inevitable.
Date Published: Jul 08, 2011 - 9:03 am