WhY PILATES?

Pilates is beneficial for a wide range of individuals due to its low-impact nature and focus on core strength, flexibility, and body awareness. It can improve posture, balance, coordination, and even reduce stress and pain, while enhancing overall physical and mental well-being. [1, 2, 3]

Physical Benefits: 

  • Improved Posture: Pilates strengthens the core muscles, which are essential for maintaining good posture and spinal alignment. [4

  • Increased Flexibility and Mobility: Pilates exercises promote longer, leaner muscles and improved range of motion, allowing for greater flexibility and ease of movement. [5

  • Enhanced Core Strength: Pilates emphasizes strengthening the deep core muscles, which are crucial for stability, balance, and overall body control. [1, 2

  • Better Balance and Coordination: The focus on body awareness and controlled movements in Pilates can significantly improve balance and coordination. [1

  • Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation: Pilates can help strengthen muscles and improve biomechanics, which can reduce the risk of injuries and aid in rehabilitation from existing injuries. [4, 6

  • Pain Relief: Pilates can be particularly helpful for relieving lower back pain and other types of muscle pain due to its emphasis on core strength and proper body alignment. [3, 7

  • Increased Energy: Pilates can improve circulation and muscle function, which can lead to increased energy levels. [2, 8, 9, 10

Mental Benefits: 

  • Stress Relief: The mind-body connection emphasized in Pilates can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. [3, 10, 11, 12

  • Improved Mental Well-being: Pilates can boost mood, increase motivation, and provide a sense of accomplishment, contributing to overall mental well-being. [13

Increased Body Awareness: Pilates helps individuals become more aware of their body's movements and alignment, leading to a greater sense of control and body awareness. [3, 4]

WHAT IS SOMATIC EXERCISE?

Somatic exercise is a type of mindful movement that emphasizes internal body awareness and the connection between the mind and body. It involves slow, deliberate movements focused on the sensations and experiences within the body, rather than external form or achieving a specific fitness goal, according to the Somatic Movement Center. [1, 2, 3]

Core Principles:

  • Mind-body connection: Somatic exercise recognizes the interplay between physical sensations, emotions, and mental states. [1, 2]

  • Internal awareness: It encourages paying attention to how movements feel within the body, rather than focusing solely on the outward appearance. [1, 2]

  • Gentle movement: The movements are typically slow and gentle, designed to release tension and promote relaxation. [1, 4]

  • Intentionality: Each movement is performed with intention and awareness, focusing on the present moment. [1, 3]

Examples of Somatic Exercises:

  • Yoga and Pilates: These practices can be adapted to be somatic by emphasizing the internal experience of the poses and movements. [4, 5]

Benefits:

  • Reduced stress and anxiety: By promoting relaxation and body awareness, somatic exercises can help manage stress and anxiety. [4, 8, 9]

  • Improved posture, flexibility, and balance: Focusing on internal sensations can lead to better body alignment and movement patterns. [3, 10, 11]

  • Increased body awareness: Somatic exercises can help individuals become more attuned to their bodies and their physical needs. [1, 2]

  • Pain relief: By releasing muscular tension and improving body awareness, somatic exercises can help alleviate physical pain. [4, 11]

  • Enhanced overall well-being: By fostering a stronger mind-body connection, somatic exercise can contribute to overall well-being. [1, 9, 11]

[1] https://www.planetfitness.com/blog/articles/somatic-exercise-guide

[2] https://www.re-origin.com/articles/somatic-exercises

[3] https://www.participaction.com/blog/workout/somatic-exercises-to-sneak-in/

[4] https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/movement-exercise/somatic-stretching-exercises

[5] https://www.verywellhealth.com/somatic-exercises-8749929

[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVhwtkLGhpo

[7] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/office-of-well-being/connection-support/somatic-self-care

[8] https://betterme.world/articles/somatic-exercises/

[9] https://www.myjuniper.com/blog/somatic-exercises-for-weight-loss

[10] https://www.planetfitness.com/blog/articles/somatic-exercise-guide

[11] https://www.prevention.com/fitness/workouts/a46993501/somatic-exercises/