Pilates is a practice that combines body and brain strengthening. Pilates was created in the early 1920s by the German gymnast Joseph Pilates.
Today pilates is used all over the world. Whether for developing strength and flexibility, as well as improving muscle tone and posture.
However, this exercise increasingly demonstrates benefits not only for the body. The emotional well-being of those who do pilates can soon be noticed. Several studies and researches have already proven the influence of pilates on the mental health of practitioners.
Proven Pilates results
One of these studies showed that regular physical exercise improves neurogenesis. In other words, they stimulate the production of new brain cells, in addition to creating protection for existing cells. The hippocampus region, responsible for memory and learning, is where the changes are most noticeable.
At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (USA), a group of researchers concluded that brain function after practicing activities such as Yoga or Pilates is significantly superior when compared to individuals who practiced some type of aerobic exercise.
Due to an increasingly troubled life, with a tense and chaotic routine, people increasingly seek ways of relief for the mind and body. If the alternative is found at the junction of the two, the better.
And this is where pilates finds its place and gains more and more practitioners and true fans of the sport, inspired by the principles of traditional Chinese medicine.
To demonstrate the full potential of Pilates, check out this article for a list of mental health benefits that practicing this exercise can bring. Good reading!
Six benefits of pilates for mental health
More than training to develop muscle and strength, pilates not only sculpt your body but also help to “polish” your mind. Assists in improving concentration and developing the skill of mindfulness.
Thus, the method focuses on the integration between physical and mental health, making the person learn and perform the movements without haste, in an appropriate manner and with the correct posture. Therefore, it is necessary to relieve stress and remove distractions.
The result is a significant decrease in tension, which improves our mood and mood, making us less anxious and more emotionally balanced.
Among so many positive points of this modality, we have separated 6 benefits directly linked to mental health. Check out!
Pilates increases your ability to concentrate
1. Pilates exercises require us to focus more on the movements that are being performed. To obtain the desired result, everything must be done carefully, so as not to err in the posture and maintain balance.
Because of this, concentration is one of the six basic principles of this technique. That is, the mind needs to control the body.
As the exercises change and the practice evolves, the student needs to deal again with his ability to concentrate around the new movement, until executing it becomes easier and more natural.
Hence, new exercises with other degrees of difficulty appear, increasing the challenges and keeping the mind always focused.
Result: those who practice pilates end up applying this ability to maintain focus and concentration in other areas and moments of life.
2. Trains the brain and improves cognition
With each new activity we learn, an important part of our brain is stimulated, developing greater fitness and improving the cognitive system.
However, as most people do not have the time or condition to learn new things at all times, the solution may be to practice a type of physical activity that changes constantly, increasing their degree of difficulty.
That is why pilates has this beneficial effect of stimulating the brain for learning. It doesn’t become an automated workout, like running on the treadmill, for example.
3. Combat stress and anxiety
The biggest enemies of mental health today are anxiety and stress. Together, they can trigger serious illnesses like depression, obesity, and heart problems.
Stressed people tend to produce and release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol in greater quantities. This speeds up breathing and heart rate, increasing blood pressure. Not to mention that all this causes the muscles to contract involuntarily, causing greater tension and constant pain.
Thus, practicing pilates also helps to prevent and combat stress and anxiety. It decreases the disordered production of harmful hormones and helps in the production of beneficial neurotransmitters, such as endorphin, which brings a sense of well-being.
This combination ends up reducing the physical and emotional symptoms caused by these problems. The concentration required during practice is another reason to rule out problems of the mind and decrease stress.
4. Develops body awareness and self-esteem
Having control over our bodies is only possible through the control of the mind. Pilates requires concentration and perfect execution of movements, both to obtain results and to avoid injuries, which are very common in other physical activities where most people are not aware of their own limits.
Thus, during the practice of pilates, the student is guided to observe his movements and understand his limitations, knowing that the evolution will depend on time and how much his mind will be focused on the exercise.
Like yoga, pilates brings the perception of evolution and increases self-esteem through overcoming. Movements and postures that we often find impossible to do are achieved with the constancy of this activity.
5. Soothes and provides emotional balance
By practicing breathing exercises and full concentration, in the same principles of mindfulness, we take away tension and anxiety and give way to calm and emotional balance through an almost instantaneous exchange. Anxiety comes out, serenity comes in.
Therefore, one of the benefits of pilates for our mental health is to provide a greater balance of emotions. Thus, we learn to maintain calm, focus and concentration not only during exercises, but also in other everyday situations.
6. Stimulates creativity
Physical exercise and mindfulness have already proven to stimulate our creativity. By combining both in pilates training, the results are even better.
And we all know that an open and creative mind allows us to live new experiences and to know how to deal with problems and challenges in a more mature and calm way. The result is a fuller, healthier, and happier life!
If you were still unsure about what type of physical activity to practice, perhaps pilates is a great alternative. But don’t forget that combining exercise.