Pilates promotes, among other things, proper back and spinal alignment, good posture, and flexibility. Furthermore, a person who does pilates regularly builds up his or her body's strength, fluid movement, strength, tone, and balance. Pilates is regarded as a total fitness system, since the participant's "center," the link between his or her body and consciousness are enhanced with pilates.
Pilates for beginners does not require high levels of fitness to be done. It should be easy for a first timer, whether man or woman, young or old, as long as a physician has cleared one's bill of health. There are factors, though that anyone considering pilates for beginners should take into account. Lack of physical activity for a long time and the presence of medical conditions should deter someone from practicing pilates unless a specific program designed by a fitness professional can suit that person.
Pilates for beginners should be avoided if one is currently under over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication or drugs that alter one's mood. Alcohol should not be consumed before practicing pilates. If one feels sick, such as flu or fever, or is currently injured, pilates should be avoided until after full recovery. It is advisable to do pilates two hours after eating a meal.
When doing pilates for beginners, one's attire should not restrict you from moving freely. Comfortable clothing should be worn when practicing pilates. Tight clothing and clothes with restrictive waistbands and garters should be avoided.
Warm up is an important part in pilates for beginners to ready the body for conditioning. Warm up exercises such as the arm reach and pull, angel arms, and imprinting are needed. These warm up exercises promote stability, mobility, mindfulness in movement, relaxing, and "centering" of the body, particularly in the core parts of the arms, shoulders, ribcage, spine, and back. These warm up exercises also promote ease in breathing, a vital component in pilates.
Most people think that pilates is just a fad fitness craze that ultimately does not really offer substantial health benefits. This could not be more wrong. A pilates practitioner becomes more conscious of his bodily functions as proper breathing, straightness of the alignment of the pelvis and spine, and fluidity of movement is emphasized. With continuous practice, pilates promotes lean and long muscles, and not bulky and short muscles that are more susceptible to injury. - 32527
Pilates for beginners does not require high levels of fitness to be done. It should be easy for a first timer, whether man or woman, young or old, as long as a physician has cleared one's bill of health. There are factors, though that anyone considering pilates for beginners should take into account. Lack of physical activity for a long time and the presence of medical conditions should deter someone from practicing pilates unless a specific program designed by a fitness professional can suit that person.
Pilates for beginners should be avoided if one is currently under over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication or drugs that alter one's mood. Alcohol should not be consumed before practicing pilates. If one feels sick, such as flu or fever, or is currently injured, pilates should be avoided until after full recovery. It is advisable to do pilates two hours after eating a meal.
When doing pilates for beginners, one's attire should not restrict you from moving freely. Comfortable clothing should be worn when practicing pilates. Tight clothing and clothes with restrictive waistbands and garters should be avoided.
Warm up is an important part in pilates for beginners to ready the body for conditioning. Warm up exercises such as the arm reach and pull, angel arms, and imprinting are needed. These warm up exercises promote stability, mobility, mindfulness in movement, relaxing, and "centering" of the body, particularly in the core parts of the arms, shoulders, ribcage, spine, and back. These warm up exercises also promote ease in breathing, a vital component in pilates.
Most people think that pilates is just a fad fitness craze that ultimately does not really offer substantial health benefits. This could not be more wrong. A pilates practitioner becomes more conscious of his bodily functions as proper breathing, straightness of the alignment of the pelvis and spine, and fluidity of movement is emphasized. With continuous practice, pilates promotes lean and long muscles, and not bulky and short muscles that are more susceptible to injury. - 32527
About the Author:
Maria is a health and fitness journalist who writes about the pilates basics and also reviews the best pilates ball on his pilates website.
