Pilates is often touted as a magic method that will transform your body overnight. I hate to burst that bubble but nothing works that fast. The Pilates method is amazing but transforming a body takes time. I feel that the beauty of the method is in it’s mindfulness, not just “toning” your butt for swimsuit season! Of course we need to strengthen and stretch our muscles… but this is most beneficial when it’s connected to learning to move in a more mindful and healthy way. We’ve all got imbalances and modern life isn’t doing our bodies any favors. There’s no special muscle that will fix back pain or shoulder tightness, ultimately it is movement that our body needs. Pilates gives the body all the different movements that we need for a healthy spine and joints. These movements will give you functional skills that transfer to daily life. Things like sitting, standing, chores and hobbies become easier and posture improves through practice. The results of feeling better tend to happen pretty quickly, visible changes in musculature take more time. But feeling and moving better are far more valuable than looking “fit” and having pain and limited mobility.
People usually ask how often they should do Pilates. Like anything it’s just a matter of how much you want to get out of it. One hour long session a week is not going to give you a drastic results. Imagine if you took Spanish only one hour a week how long it would take you to be able to speak Spanish! Learning takes time and practice. If you do some practice at home in between sessions then you’ll get more results. It’s only natural that you get more results the more you do. It’s not magic, it’s work. It’s sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating. Learning new things is like that. Being mindful during exercise is not the norm so building up your skill of mindfulness will go hand in hand with the strength and flexibility people expect. And that will cross over into your life too, giving you invaluable benefits. If you don’t have the patience for meditation Pilates can be a good alternative if you want a mindful practice but don’t feel yoga is right for you.
So while Pilates itself is not magic, the practice of mindful movement really is. It can transform your body, mind and life. With patient practice you might find that you feel better than you have in years and even gain strength and flexibility you didn’t know you could. And it never really stops being both beneficial and challenging, after 30 years of practice I’m still gaining results and learning new things! It continues to help my body and mind and I can’t imagine my life without it.
Solara Pilates 