We’ve looked at some of the more physical components of fitness and Pilates helps these areas in the past issues. Aside from the physical components of fitness, there are other many other ways Pilates fitnes into health and wellness. For examples social health, mental health, emotional health and spiritual health.
Social Health
Social health is the ability to interact well with people and the environment and to have satisfying personal relationships. Pilates is both an individual and social activity. Pilates can be instructed both in a group setting, the most common, or in a private setting. Pilates, with all its exercises and modifications of exercises, is an activity that allows for working at your own pace in your own space while working in a group setting. That is, while in a group setting doing a Pilates class, participants still can work in their own space, on their own. This allows for working on social health and ability to interact with others. It allows for camaraderie, sharing common experiences etc.
Mental Health
Mental health is the ability to learn and grow intellectually. Life experiences as well as more formal structures of education enhance mental health. Pilates is sometimes referred to as a mind body form of exercise. A fair bit of focus is required on engaging muscles, muscle firing patterns and coordinating the breathing with the movements in Pilates. All of this requires a certain amount of mental capability.
Emotional Health
Emotional health is the ability to control emotions so that you feel comfortable expressing them and can express them appropriately. A common comment about Pilates is its relaxing, rejuvenating and reenergizing quality. Reduced anxiety and greater energy usually leads to greater control of emotions and oneself.
Spiritual Health
Spiritual health is a belief in some unifying force. It varies from person to person but has the concept of faith at its core. While there is no spiritual aspect to Pilates many mention that the practice of Pilates exercises has a meditative quality. There is a repetitive quality to the exercises in Pilates coupled with the focused and controlled breathing results in a meditative and calming quality. For some this can help lead to or renew faith in a belief in a unifying force. Pilates itself doesn’t include a spiritual practice.
Certified Stott instructor. Experience with teching, instructing, owning a Pilates studio and meeting people and postures.