Pilates and Psychology

Pilates has an important role in both our physical health and mental health. How?

YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO BREATHE CORRECTLY THROUGH PILATES.

Correct breathing is very important in psychology. If you cannot breathe properly, problems such as dizziness, palpitation, asphyxiation feeling, anxiety symptoms like numbness, insomnia can occur. When practicing Pilates exercises, correct breathing will provide enough oxygen delivery to the brain. The balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide provided through a Pilates session allows us to be less tired as body and mind.

PILATES IS EFFECTIVE TO REDUCE THE STRESS IN LIFE.

Norepinephrine in the brain increases with exercises, and stress level decreases. The endorphin hormone increases the feeling of happiness by alleviating pain. Decreasing endorphin can cause depression, unhappiness and nervousness. Pilates also prevents the reduce in endorphin production and helps to cope with disturbing psychological problems such as depression and unhappiness.

PILATES HELPS YOU TO TONE YOUR BODY, HAVE A HEALTHY BODY AND INCREASE YOUR SELF-CONFIDENCE.

A fit body helps you to build self-love and self-esteem. Pilates creates a positive perspective on body. The thoughts of “I can do it, I can success" to reach the goal will develop the feeling of self-sufficiency. Your happiness will increase and painful thinking and accompanying behavioral problems will decrease through Pilates.

YOU CAN SLEEP BETTER TROUGH PILATES.

Sleeping problems can damage perception and mental functions. Insomnia decreases the concentration. Thanks to Pilates exercises, the body relaxes and you can have your healthy sleep pattern. As the tension decreases, a deep and more efficient sleep occurs.

YOU CAN REDUCE ALZHEIMER RISK TROUGH PILATES.

One of the most important teaching of Pilates is body and mind coordination. As it improves mental performance, it reduces mental illness and Alzheimer's risk. While the mind becomes more vibrant and flexible, memory becomes strong and learning ability increases.

YOU CAN GAIN AWARENESS THROUGH PILATES.

Each Pilates exercise which is done fewer repetitions instead of more repetitions, more controlled and the principles that makes the different from other methods allows us to discover and improve our muscles by improving balance. At the same time, Pilates bring awareness to our bodies and support our control on our bodies as well as feeling of trust in our body and ourselves.

YOU CAN INCREASE CONCENTRATION THROUGH PILATES.

While doing Pilates, our mind focuses on the movements and our thinking is shifting away from the problems that we cannot solve. Our concentration ability develops.

PILATES TEACHES STAYING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT.

It is necessary to concentrate in details and control the body in every exercises. This is the way to connect the body and mind. By increasing the awareness through Pilates, a person realizes what is good for own body.

* Disclaimer: Courtesy of Doktorlar Merkezi

* Translated by Efvani Aybike Koç, BASI Pilates Turkey