The Mental and Spiritual Benefits of Pilates

As we began discussion this month about the benefits of Pilates we started with the physical. Pilates is a method of corrective exercise, so that is the natural place to begin our journey. Our bodies, minds and hearts are intrinsically linked. The activities we engage in affect all aspects of us, bodies, minds and hearts. Some of what makes Pilates so satisfying and effective for people is that the workout can benefit all parts of us. The physical practice is a portal to many things, some of which are increasing your awareness of how you use your body/mind and improving the level of detail with which you work/move.

 Just as we build stability in the body first, Pilates benefits our mind by creating focus. This focus clears away the constant chattering that goes on in our minds. Tasks, roles we live and are responsible for, information, information, information. This part of our “modern living as Joe Pilates refers to it, is endless and nonstop. And he said this in the 30’s, decades before our smart phone culture! When our minds become cluttered and unfocused we sometimes we lose sight of what we want or what is important. This takes our efforts and actions and causes them to go in unproductive directions. Know the feeling of spinning your wheels, but never getting to where you want to go?

When your mind is focused and clear of unnecessary thoughts you can simply follow through better. Being able to follow through will lead you to completing your goals and making decisions that align with your priorties.The result is a calm, focused person who is capable of responding, not reacting to the events of life itself. As John Lennon wrote, “Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans”. I have found this true time and time again. To have the ability to be calm and respond to whatever life throws you takes wisdom and skill.

Continuing a workout program takes forbearance and strength of will. The days you need it most are the days you don’t feel like it. The act of simply following through on your intentions creates a ball rolling affect on your self-esteem, personal satisfaction and general mental well-being.

When your body feels good and works well, you feel good. When you feel good you are capable of responding to others in a compassionate, honest way. You can be the best version of you, not the version that is hurt or screwed in perspective.

So take Pilates! Your body, mind and heart need you! It will not be easy to continually make the time or take the time to do it, but the result will be a strong spirit, clear mind, and body that does not hurt and functions to its peak. Imagine that for a lifetime!

Corrective Exercise

Hello, my name is Lesley Davenport and I am a Pilates teacher. I am starting this blog as a forum for Pilates teachers and enthusiasts to share their experiences and their inspirations. I got involved in Pilates originally as an answer for chronic pain I had in my sacrum and pelvis. What I did not know at the time was that my weekly lesson would turn into a new vocation. In a nutshell, I began Pilates as a student looking for relief and answers in working with my body. My chronic aches and pains were due to muscular imbalances and alignment issues. Shortly after (8 weeks) of sessions with a trainer I was hooked on how I felt and was beginning to look. I enrolled in my first teacher training certification in 2000 and from there just followed my path as an avid student. I love teaching and helping others to be healthy in body, mind and soul. Pilates helps me maintain the athleticism necessary to stay current with my first love, perform contemporary dance work. In 2006 I established a studio and recently completed the requirements to be a Power Pilates Teacher Trainer. As I quickly approach my 40’s and have very young children at home along with the responsibilities of owning a business, Pilates proves its value again and again in my own lifestyle. I have a stable strong body from Pilates and better mental focus. The focus and concentration has lead to an ability to work at a greater level of detail, increasing my satisfaction and results at work and at home.

I feel blessed to have the job I have. I get to create powerful movement experiences for others that have the ability to transform bodies, lives, and perspectives when the spirit is willing.

I hope you enjoy reading this blog. It will involve real life Pilates experiences from a client to a professional’s perspective.  It is my vision that it becomes a place where Pilates teachers and enthusiasts can experience a sense of community while on their path of discovery through movement. 

Pilates as Corrective Exercise

Many times I get the comment when new clients start Pilates that they” don’t know what this is all about”. We all come to a Pilates studio with different motivations or goals, but why most people stay with Pilates is that the benefits are multi layered for our bodies, minds and spirits.

To understand why Pilates benefits a body, imagine a human structure. Our brain is housed in our skull, spinal cord running from brain into torso and every part of us, limbs and organs, having a link to this central nervous system. All major functions of our body are controlled and directed from this portal.

For my clients to understand the importance of taking care of your Core, I use the image of not having limbs. If you were to not have your arms and legs, you would still be alive and functioning. As drastic as this is, it is an unmistakable example of why we must take care of our core or central nervous system. For clients who prefer less aggressive images, we look at a picture of how the body is put together and it does not take a moment to see the value of this workout.

Pilates is, in its best form, corrective exercise. When the method is taught well it has the power to transform someone’s physical function and ability. It works because the exercises correct and restore the natural curvature to a spine when all people have some degree of misalignment or imbalance. The next huge accomplishment for Pilates is creating length in the spine from our head to our tail bone. This length provides the means to take unnecessary pressures out of our lower back, hips, legs and upper body. The feeling of “standing taller” after your Pilates workout, is true, you actually are!

In an incredibly smart way, Pilates corrects the body by layering skills. First, stability and strength are created in the spine and pelvis. This area is the foundation of your body. Without stability it is an unsteady structure like a building with a faulty foundation. After this stability is accomplished strength is built evenly through the muscles of abdominals, back, hips, legs, shoulders, arms, neck, even feet and hands. By paying careful attention to what a body needs and addressing those needs in a systematic manner, Pilates is a secret weapon for any person, regardless of age or ability.

This is the reason that you benefit unquestionably from supervised instruction and classes with experienced trainers. They can help to “cut to the chase” and work on what your body needs, not what the person next to you needs. These are all concrete reasons why Pilates works so well for your physical body. Stay tuned for later segments that will explore the mental and spiritual benefits of a Pilates practice.