Pilates – why we should all be doing it?
It’s not just physiotherapy that our partners clinics at PhysioNet Bristol can offer to help you recover from an injury or to improve your strengthen and balance.
Matt Snell at Optimus Physiotherapy is an APPI Pilates instructor as well as a physiotherapist who is championing the benefits of Pilates and why we should all be doing it.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a method of exercise and physical movement designed to help stretch, strengthen and balance your body. With systematic practice of specific exercises coupled with focused breathing patterns, Pilates can be invaluable. Not only as a fitness endeavour, but also as an important addition to your sports training and physical rehabilitation.
What are the benefits of Pilates?
Practised faithfully, Pilates can yield numerous benefits. Strength and flexibility, particularly of the abdomen and back muscles, and coordination – both muscular and mentally, are key components in an effective program. Posture, balance, and core strength are all heartily increased, and many experience positive body awareness for the first time.
With the ageing of our population and the increasing trend toward more mindful and moderate health practices, Pilates has become increasingly popular. It is beneficial for people of all ages and physical ability.
As the Founder Joseph Pilates once boldly quoted “I must be right. Never an aspirin. Never injured a day in my life. The whole country, the whole world, should be doing my exercises. They’d be happier.” ~ Joseph Hubertus Pilates [1965, age 86].