Pilates will… Change your Life for the Better.
As the snow melts and hopefully disappears until next winter, many of us eagerly welcome longer days, sunshine, the first tulips pushing through the dirt, and other signs of spring. It’s much easier to find the motivation to move when you don’t require several layers, heavy boots, and mittens just to leave the house! With warmer weather and cherry blossoms on the horizon, I find myself hopping out of bed with a renewed sense of purpose. I want to move more because it feels good, like I’m tending the garden of my soul.

Did you know that doing Pilates 2-3 times/week contributes to your individual well-being? 

Research indicates that a regular Pilates practice is likely to help you sleep better, improve your mood, and increase both your energy and your overall level of fitness.

Pilates emphasises mindful breathing, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. Diaphragmatic breathing can regulate your autonomic nervous system by lowering your heart rate, regulating blood pressure, aiding in relaxation, and lowering the release of the stress hormone cortisol. It can also make core strength exercises more effective, improving your core muscle stability–which will help advance your Pilates practice! Conscious breathing can help you achieve a state of calm and presence. The ability to regulate your emotional state can make it easier to navigate difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and allows you to respond with intention and objectivity.

Research has also shown the benefits of a regular Pilates practice on the quality of your sleep. A study carried out by Appalachian State University showed that participants that practised 75-minute Pilates workouts at least two times a week over the span of 15 weeks were less likely to experience sleeping difficulties. A head researcher of the study noted how the notion of being more connected to yourself through Pilates could be a large influence in being able to relax more.

Exercise helps to distract the brain from daily worries and stress. Pilates can improve your mood by stimulating the release of feel-good hormones and chemicals in the body. Pilates may even assist in the treatment of depression and anxiety by actually changing the levels of these chemicals in the brain (serotonin, cortisol and endorphins), and providing a distraction from negative thoughts, releasing stress, enhancing mindfulness, and helping to create a self-care routine and a sense of achievement.

With regular practice, Pilates makes you stronger and more flexible over time. An exercise routine helps you sleep better. Mindfulness and conscious breathing improves your mood and allows you to engage more deeply with life. Committing to a Pilates practice 2-3 times each week is one way of planting the seeds for better health and longevity.

Join us in class and follow us on social media throughout the month of April for more exercises, tips, and information on how Pilates can and will change your life for the better.

Pam Ferguson
Retrofit Master Instructor
Lead Instructor/Operations Associate