The Pilates Method is a physical fitness system that was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates. Pilates called his method Contrology, which refers to the way his method encourages the use of the mind to control the muscles. His program focuses on the core postural muscles that help keep the body balanced and are essential to providing support for the spine. In particular, Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath, alignment of the spine, and strengthens deep torso muscles, which are important to help alleviate and prevent back pain.
Pilates believed that mental health and physical health were essential to one another. He created a method of total body conditioning that emphasizes seven principles (the Pilates Principles). Pilates believed that following these principles resulted in increased flexibility, strength, body awareness, energy, and improved mental concentration. His 7 principles include:
- Proper alignment
- Centering
- Concentration
- Control
- Precision
- Breathing, and
- Flowing movement.
To this date, Pilates is an extremely popular form of fitness conditioning for women. Classes are readily available, and it is fairly economical because all that is needed is a mat. In addition, there are a variety of Pilates resources available, which include books, DVDs, and .
There are numerous other reasons to take Pilates, some which include the fact that:
1. Pilates is designed to be a complete physical fitness discipline and a holistic approach to exercising to maintain optimal mobility and agility with age. Once mastered, Pilates trains, strengthens and realigns the entire body.
2. It promotes relaxation, complete body control, coordination, increased energy levels, and improved posture.
3. It restores abdominal, back and hip strength in a way that is safe for your spine.
4. It generates muscle tones, instead of superficial bulk.
5. It is versatile and can be adapted to your individual needs, whether they be to improve general everyday movement, to strengthen the build and flexibility of a dancer, or to improve performance in professional athletics.
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What Is Physical Fitness
There are many tips and ways to good physical fitness. From the television, to magazine advertisements there are several reminders to tell us about good physical fitness. However, there is an even easier tip to constantly remind us how to good physical fitness. Though it would not completely answer and deliver to all the health issues we may have, we could apply this as a paradigm of simple measures. An equation for good physical fitness could be as easy to remember as one, plus two, plus three, equals 6.
One
We have to start an equation for good physical fitness with the first thing to remember: our life. We only have one body to take care of, so it should not be that hard to monitor and maintain. Furthermore, we only have one mind to think for ourselves. We cannot depend on others to tell us how to good physical fitness or be healthy. We have to look for the appropriate information ourselves and apply those learnings by ourselves as well.
Another thing about ?One? is that we only have one shot in this life to do this. Of course we may be able to rectify certain health practices when we stumble, but how sure are we that we would still have that second chance of living a normal life if the damage
has already been done?
Therefore, the ?One? that is pertained to in this equation is our self. We only have one to boot and therefore we should focus on this.
Plus Two
?Two? in this context means that there are only two paths that we can choose, the right and the wrong path. The same analogy goes to a beneficial or a destructive outcome of our bodies. In whatever life choice that we take every single time, we are bringing the self either closer to wellness or sickness. Think of it as this way: we are the flag tied at the center of a rope in a tug of war. One end leads to sickness and eventually death, the other to wellness and eventually longevity. Each moment that we do something, each food choice that we make, or even each day that we do our lifestyle routines, we have to think ?To what side are we going then??
Plus Three
?Three? is relatively simple, as it would pertain to three parts of the day: morning, afternoon, and evening. In relation to this, a person has to plan out the activities in their appropriate time. There are activities that are suitable in the morning, or maybe until the afternoon, and there are also some personal activities that are suitable for the evening. Any unplanned schedule and adherence therefore would result to added stress, and therefore be detrimental to the self.
Examples of activities that are good in the morning are exercise, early morning sunshine, a time to reflect and plan other activities for the rest of the day, and breakfast. As for the afternoon, continued work from the morning, a little bit of recreation perhaps, and an eagerness to get home and rest. Evenings are good for a cool down walk in the neighborhood, spend time with the family, watch a little television, and definitely sleep.
The exact activities that are placed into these three different times throughout the day differ from each person's career and work schedule. Nevertheless, it is always safe to assume one of these times as resting and sleeping schedule.
Equals Six
?Six? pertains to the number of meals that one has to eat everyday. Recent studies have shown that the average daily caloric requirement needed per day is best digested and assimilated if they were distributed into six small meals instead of three large ones as considered before. This allows the body to digest the food at a constant rate without oversupplying and causing the body to store excess nutrients into fat.
The one, plus two, plus three, equals six paradigm is an equation for good physical fitness which can be applied to almost anyone, even those who are recuperating from sickness, and those who haven't experienced any major illness yet.
Both Gerry Fung & Rob The Fitness Freak are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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Rob The Fitness Freak has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Fitness and Health. Rob is an avid fitness freak and has his own fitness web site where he has many excellent fitness, weight loss and bodybuiding guides you can learn from.. Rob The Fitness Freak's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
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