Staying Fit And Glowing While On Self-Isolation

watching tv

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Before anything, I’d like to tell you that I’m a carefree party chick that couldn’t stay home if I’m not sleeping – until this crisis came around. So you just imagine how difficult it is for me! But as the days went by since the quarantine, I realized that watching the bad and sad news on television with some popcorn and soda has never done me any good at all. It has only made my life damper and duller. How about you? How are you doing these days?

If you’re feeling frustrated, stuck, and depressed, then let’s change that mindset now, shall we? Let’s try to start using our free time on the things that we have wanted to do, but we haven’t because we thought we had better things scheduled. Let’s not be drawn to the bleakness of self-isolation. This is an opportunity for us to focus on relaxation, self-care, and fitness to keep us glowing amid the pandemic.

Always Drink Water. We think this is too easy, but it’s not. A lot of people don’t get to drink the required amount of water to keep them hydrated – and it seems worse when they’re at home. If you want to see some glow in your skin without spending too much, always drink water. It’s good for digestion also. Just so you won’t forget, fill up your big water bottle and remember to drink it all up within eight hours. Then fill it up again for your consumption in the next few hours. You’re going to feel great.

Do Some Isolation Time In The Kitchen. If you were not used to seeing your kitchen before (like me), then now is the perfect time to learn how to cook. Start with the simple breakfast recipes, like an omelet, french toast, and pancakes. Then proceed with the all-time favorites – pasta, baked chicken, and steak. You’ll see how much valuable time you’ve spent in your kitchen once you start to like cooking. Perhaps you can get that oven to heat up since it hasn’t been used for months!

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Engage In Physical Activity. The worst excuse you can give is ‘I don’t have time,’ because you have all of it. You must spend 30 minutes to one hour of physical fitness to keep yourself healthy. You can choose to do different workout plans daily. Maybe you want your Mondays and Wednesdays to go a little slow and relaxing, so you can do yoga and pilates. You can level up on Tuesdays and Thursdays and do some Crossfit training regimen. By the time the quarantine is over, you’ll have a robust plan in place.
Get Enough Sleep. Sleeping 8 to 10 hours is easy, especially since you’re not busy at all. Turn off the alarms and turn off your television when you go to sleep so nothing else can disturb your beauty sleep. If you don’t know this yet, getting sufficient sleep is a surefire way to having beautiful glowing skin. It’s a mood booster too.
Clean and Declutter. When did you ever try cleaning your room down from the tiniest dirt on the floor? Maybe never? Do your room some justice and make it squeaky clean. Scrub the floors, remove the dust from the closet and windows, and finally, declutter your things. You’ll be sweating and losing calories while making yourself proud of what you’ve done. The last thing you should do is spray some air freshener in the room so that it’ll be smelling fresh.
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Choose Some Good Books To Read. I love to read, but I just couldn’t stay at home for an hour to do it. In the middle of the quarantine, I picked up a book from my shelf, one that I bought a few months ago but never gave it the time of day. I finished it within two days, and I felt so accomplished. Maybe you could do the same. If you don’t dream of new dreams, I’m sure you’ll learn something new and inspiring from your read.
With all these activities lined up for you, self-isolation wouldn’t be too bleak and dreary at all.

Now more than ever, self-isolation calls for the guidance of online counseling and therapy from apps like BetterHelp. By reaching out for help from licensed professionals, you can ease your navigation of the quarantine period. If you want to know more about how they can help, you can check this review from Indeed.

Ways Of Creating Economic Growth

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Economic growth was the highlight of the 2019 Economics Conference. The goal of the major host, which was SDMIMD or Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute for Management Development, was to provide quality management education for their country India and the rest of the nations around the world. Thus, the event was organized. Economists and policymakers from across the world came to attend the prestigious and relevant conference to exchange current information about economic growth and development. There were a lot of discussions, presentations, and Q and A sessions to come up with better solutions and improved measures in order to achieve a more successful and sustainable future.

Here are some of the ways to create economic growth.

Innovation And Startups. These two are fuels of economic growth. Young entrepreneurs are risk-takers who are helping create new companies and providing jobs for the American people. Encouraging them and the rest of the brave innovators in one’s country will help improve the economic downturn.

Stop The War On Drugs. The United States has spent billions on the war on drugs, yet the situation has not improved. Perhaps it is time to try Spain’s policies regarding drugs – treat the addicts and tax the marijuana users. Legalization has never shown to add to the ill effects of drug use. This can generate more revenue. According to economists, legalizing marijuana saves the American government more than $7 billion annually, just on enforcement.

Encourage The Jobless To Volunteer. The longer the unemployed are paid, the longer they stay jobless. The right solution would be to shorten the length of unemployment insurance and require those receiving these checks to do volunteer work in non-profit companies, for example. This way, they gain new skills and new references as well, which can help them become better in the next careers that they may attain in the future.

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Reduce Healthcare Cost. Undeniably, not everyone can afford to pay for health care costs. We must stop encouraging doctors to prescribe expensive medications. A lot of doctors around the world get a percentage of the drugs they prescribe their patients. If the government works with the people and bans drug company rebates to these doctors, then we will surely be able to cut insurance spending, such as Medicare.

 

 

 

Why You Should Try Pilates – Part 2

This article is Part Two. If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, then it would be best to go over it first before reading this one. The previous article gives out four benefits of Pilates, both for the body and mind. This one starts with the fifth benefit up to the eight, and like the previous one, it also states how the exercise is useful for a person when it comes to improving their state of mind and their mental health, as well.

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Benefit #5: Pilates Does Improve Your Sexual Stamina

Whenever a Pilates instructor tells a Pilates practitioner to lift their pelvic floor, they are telling the practitioner to do Kegel exercises. These Pilates training moves strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor. Strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor results in an increase in pleasure during sexual intercourse. With training in Pilates, the orgasms are much better. Training in Pilates is impressive for sexual intercourse. And if the Pilates practitioner wants to have a baby, pushing a baby out is much more comfortable with strong muscles in the pelvic floor. Tracy Zindell reports that many of her Pilates students tell her that they have had very easy deliveries.

Benefit #6: Pilates improves performance In Sports like Basketball And Other Games Will

Whenever a Pilates practitioner starts concentrating on their core, they will realize that most, if not all, of their muscles, are linked through their core. For example, you would crumble down if you attempt to perform lunges, and you do not use your abdominals. This is, according to Tracy Zindell. Tracy has trained professional athletes such as Joakim Noah, who plays for the Chicago Bulls. According to Richard N. Fogoros, MD, “Pilates gets the breath and circulation moving, stimulates the spine and muscles, and floods the body with the good feelings one gets from exercising the whole body.”

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A stronger core allows an athlete to run faster. If you have a stronger core, it will enable you, the yoga practitioner, to be on point. Generally, a stronger core produces improved workouts. If a Pilates student works one-on-one with an instructor or works in a small group of students, they can use moves that are similar to the movements used in the sport that they have chosen. This will improve their performance in the sport that they have chosen.

Benefit #7: Pilates Will Provide Better Flexibility For Your Body

Some people state that they cannot practice Pilates because their body is not flexible. “Pilates has been shown to moderately improve flexibility, therefore, it can improve peripheral mobility (mobility of the limbs),” William C. Shiel Jr., MD says. But people whose bodies are not flexible should be practicing Pilates. In a research study from Brazil, young women who have not practiced Pilates before gained at least nineteen percent greater flexibility in their body after doing twenty sessions of Pilates training. When you are not flexible, your muscles are shortened. This limits the range of motion of your body. It can have a negative effect on your performance when you exercise. It can even cause an injury during exercise.  Pilates has been shown to moderately improve flexibility, therefore, it can improve peripheral mobility (mobility of the limbs).

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Benefit #8: Pilates Will Keep Your Brain Function

The Pilates training method has been referred to as an exercise for the thinking man by Joseph Pilates, the inventor of the Pilates workout system. This could be very true. Researchers in China measured the brain activity of women who have undergone ten weeks of training in Pilates. It showed positive changes in their alpha peak power, which is connected with one’s cognitive function. Hoyte Pyle, MD, says “Pilates works the whole body in synergy.” Knowing these benefits of Pilates, from the previous article to this one, would you try doing the type of exercise?

 

The Importance Of Physical Activity – 2016 Manchester Physical Fitness Event

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Want to be healthy? By just spending 30 minutes a day of physical activity or exercise will improve our health. It can make us free for some diseases which are fatal as well, and regularly doing it will improve our daily living. This was the topic discussed during the 2016 Manchester Physical Fitness Event.

Benefits Of Regular Physical Activity

Exercise can lower the risk of diseases like diabetes, some cancer, heart attack and other. It will make you physically fit, achieve stronger bones, it lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Active exercise can fuel you with energy. It can also make us sleep comfortably and nicely. “High levels of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness (referred to simply as “fitness” in this article) are associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Furthermore, physical activity can reduce the development of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and cancer,” James McKinney, MD, MSc and co-authors wrote.

The Healthier State Of Mind

Depress and stress people tend to do some physical activities to forget a busy day or stressful events. It will lift our mood and can improve our social life, in contacting others who are exercising just like us. Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. and collaborators say, “Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood.”

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Aim For At Least 30 Minutes A Day Exercise

It is recommended to commit 30 minutes per day of physical activity to prevent health problems. It may gradually increase as long as your body can handle it.

Physical Activity Guidelines

There are activity and behavior guidelines that we can look to as a reference. It said that do some exercise than nothing at all, engage our body to be active mostly all day, we can also do extreme activities that our body required, strengthening muscles are also needed at least twice a week.

See Your Doctor First

Ask first your doctor if your body is fit to do some physical activities especially when you are not that healthy. Because it will be a precaution if we are 45 years old and above if it causes us chest pain and a high chance of heart attack if it is easy for us to feel tired and of course for a pregnant woman. Doctors know the best for us, so don’t hesitate to ask. Always check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise regimen to make sure you are medically able to participate. “Only your doctor can determine how much exercise is safe for you. Starting an exercise program that is more strenuous than you are ready for can result in injury and serious medical problems,” Grant Cooper, MD explains.

Physical activity is a necessity in achieving a healthier mind and body that can lead us to a long and prosperous life. Be fit and be healthy.

 

Why You Should Try Pilates – Part 1

In 2005, over eleven million people were practicing Pilates. In terms of understanding Pilates, most people belong to two groups. The first group is very enthusiastic Pilates practitioners. The second group is the people who have not even seen a Pilates studio. If you belong to the latter group, you should at least try practicing Pilates. A lot of research studies show the numerous benefits you can get from Pilates. “Pilates is now commonly described as “mindful” or a “mind-body” exercise. Its physical practice of core control and stability (or “centering”) is supported by concentration and precision coordinated by breathing,” Pirkko Markula Ph.D. explains. Below are eight benefits you can get from practicing Pilates.

Source: flickr.com

Benefit #1: Pilates Is The Best For Your Abdominals.

Pilates works out your core better than other forms of workout. In the vocabulary of Pilates, the core is referred to as the “powerhouse.” James F. Zender Ph.D. points out, “I am particularly impressed with the benefits of Pilates which improves core strength, balance, coordination, and confidence.” A research study published in the Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise journal states that the rectus abdominis of people who accomplished thirty-six weeks of training in Pilates was strengthened by approximately twenty-one percent. The rectus abdominis is the muscle that is responsible for what is known as six-pack abs. The strengthening of the rectus abdominis is achieved while the imbalances of the muscle between the left side of the core and the right side of the core are eliminated.

Benefit #2: Your Terrible Back Pain Can Be Alleviated Through Practicing Pilates.

A much improved back can result from a stronger core, according to Tracy Zindell. Tracy Zindell is the founder of Flex Pilates Chicago. Tracy is also a master instructor at Flex Pilates Chicago. A research study published in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy states that people who suffer from chronic pain in their lower back experienced pain relief after four weeks of practicing Pilates.

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Benefit #3: Pilates Will Not Put Too Much Pressure On Your Joints.

Training in Pilates is undemanding on the joints. Practicing Pilates involves movements that are controlled and slow. The controlled and slow movements produce impacts on the joints that are very minimal. Training in Pilates is even easier on the joints if a Pilates reformer is used. The Pilates reformer has very thick padding. The padding is as deep as ten yoga mats placed on top of each other. The very thick padding relieves the pressure from the knees and the back.

Benefit #4: Pilates Will Keep You Focused And Sharp – Even After You Are Done With Workout.

Training in Pilates forces the practitioner to concentrate on their breathing. Training in Pilates also forces the practitioner to focus on their body. And training in Pilates forces the practitioner to focus on how their body and their breathing moves together. This requires the practitioner to concentrate on their Pilates training entirely. They cannot allow their minds to wander. This means that during training in Pilates, the practitioner is not thinking about boyfriends or girlfriends, bills, work, and other concerns. That means one whole hour without any worries. Hoyte Pyle, MD, says “Pilates works the whole body in synergy.”

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Next week, we will talk about more benefits of Pilates, and as to why you should try it. Every man, woman, and child will improve their physical and mental health by doing this exercise regularly, and that means improving your chances of having a quality life. It also means wanting to increase your life span. You want to live longer. If yes, then, do Pilates.

Things You Should Know About Ski Instructors

 

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Who doesn’t love wearing the all-time favorite sandals and loose shorts? Everybody does, especially in the fall when the temperatures are warmer than usual all over the United States. But long the warmth is going to be, the snow – and skiing – will always come around at the end of the year. “Downhill skiing represents one of the most popular winter sports worldwide,” Martin Burtscher and collaborators wrote. If you’ve been planning to hire an instructor to help you master the art of skiing, check out a few of the things you should know about ski instructors, secrets about why they like bad weathers and how they’re paid not so great but still love to teach the young and old alike!

 

 

  • They Can’t-Wait For The Heavy Snowfalls

The weather is inevitable, but what you don’t know is that ski coaches love bad weather and just can’t wait for the frosty temperatures to come by. The heaps of snow and the cold are the skier’s dream, the great opportunity to practice their glides and slides and to see their students lining up for them to train.

 

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  • They Don’t Quite Like It When The Snowboarders Share With Their Snow

Some ski instructors do love snowboarding, but most of them try to steer clear from the snowboarder’s way, especially when they’re teaching. Snowboarders tend to crush all snow on the hills and slopes and leave the skiers with nothing but a flat surface that takes away the excitement that the students are waiting for in their lessons. Hey, snowboarders, won’t you share the mountains sometimes?

 

  • They Don’t Think Skiing No More Dangerous Than Any Sport

This is based on statements from a majority of ski instructors who have been teaching kids to ski. There are, of course, risks of doing it as a hobby or a sport. However, from their experience, they have not encountered serious injuries other than a concussion, a shoulder dislocation, and a broken nose or leg. According to Lynne J Warda, MD and co-authors, “Skiing and snowboarding are popular recreational and competitive sport activities for children and youth. Injuries associated with both activities are frequent and can be serious.” The worst that a ski instructor ever experienced with one of his students was a spinal fracture due to a fall on the back. There are still dangers, but they are relatively the same as with any physical activity.

 

  • Pay Isn’t Very Good

With good, they mean great – big dollars. Skiing may sound ‘expensive’ like the gears they use, but they pay for teaching the sport isn’t that great. Depending on their level of expertise, ski instructors get paid as low as $10 an hour for group classes (a little higher for one-on-one classes) to as high as $40 for level 4 instructors. For most of them, they admit that if not for the love of skiing, they would have looked for another job!

 

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  • They Like Teaching Kids – It Improves Their Creativity

Teaching a group of curious, eager, and noisy kids is not an easy task. Some of them are not that strong to handle a ski yet, but they’re just so persistent. Some are too energetic that they easily get bored with the activities prepared for them. What ski instructors do is to make creative games out of the moves that the students are required to learn. They also use pictures that the kids can guess by using the skiing moves. This way, they don’t feel lousy teaching the same routine.

Dr. David Eagleman, Ph.D, explains, “Trying new things increases the connections between neurons in your brain and provides perspective. Now apply this to your skiing.”

  • They Are Happy When People Win Over Their Fears When They Ski

As much as skiing is a great form of exercise and fun winter activity, it is also a way for people to overcome their phobias. Ski instructors have encountered several students who have dreamed of learning how to ski but never started earlier because they just can’t step on those skis. And part of the challenge – and joy – of their job is to be able to help these people become great skiers who have won over their fears in life. They can’t begin to explain how amazing they feel every time this happens.

 

“It’s not all about teaching people how to ski, but it’s also about helping them fulfill their goals and overcoming their lifetime fears.”

 

 

The Many Benefits Of Pilates – Part 2

Here are more benefits of Pilates (that you might not be aware of, but now will be):

Benefit #6: Flexibility Is Increased Through Pilates Training

Most standard exercises usually consist of motion in only one plane. Very often, this involves some form of backward and forward motion, such as in crunches. Pilates training includes movement in more than one plane. In Pilates training sessions, the spine is moved from extension to flexion and from external rotation to internal rotation. Side bending is also involved. The range of motion all over your body is increased.

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Benefit #7: Pilates Training Is Also An Excellent Cross-Training Exercise

Some athletes, such as runners, are in danger of overuse injuries because they do not switch up their workouts. Pilates training is an excellent cross-training exercise, particularly for runners. In the running, stress is usually passed through the core. Pilates training is a fantastic workout exercise for the core. The whole range of motion of the hip joints is used in Pilates training. This improves the runner’s stride as well as the general mechanics of running. “The combination of core strength, stabilization and full range of motion in muscles and joints is what makes Pilates the training and cross-training exercise of choice for people from all walks of life,” Yvonne Taylor, MS says.

Benefit #8: Posture Is Enhanced By Pilates Training

Bad posture and hunched shoulders can be the result of sitting before a desk the whole day or regularly glancing down at a mobile phone. After some time, this can lead to imbalances in the musculature. Pilates training improves the balance and symmetry of the musculature. This assists in reversing the harmful effects of a bad posture. “It emphasizes good posture, proper breathing, body awareness, and graceful movement to better condition the body to prevent it from being prone to injury,” Alex Moroz MD, FACP and co-authors wrote. Pilates training makes you use only one muscle at a single time. Weaker muscles are isolated. Lost strength is redeveloped. And balance is created all over the body. The strengthening of the core also lets you quickly perform routine tasks daily with no pain and with better posture.

Benefit #9: Cardiovascular Endurance Is Improved By Pilates Training

Just like any other workout, the amount of aerobic benefit gained from a Pilates session will depend on the intensity of the Pilates exercises. The heart rate will be boosted and will reach the target heart rate zone with advanced Pilates moves such as the side lift and the jackknife.

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Benefit #10: Stress Is Reduced Through Pilates Training

A Pilates session typically consists of a combination of high-intensity intervals and calming exercises. The calming exercises release tension. Concentrating on linking your movement to your breathing produces a calming effect on the central nervous system.

Benefit #11: Pilates Will Help You Sleep Better

Individuals are unlikely to have issues falling asleep if they practice Pilates. Pilates training prevents you from pondering on your concerns. It teaches you to concentrate on the present. It is similar to meditation. Pilates training assists you in re-centering yourself mentally and physically. Brett A. Dolezal and co-authors reported that, “Exercise promoted increased sleep efficiency and duration regardless of the mode and intensity of activity.”

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Benefit #12: You Get A Good Feeling Through Pilates Training

Pilates engages the practitioner mentally. It is challenging. And it feels amazing. The progression of Pilates is limitless and steady. There will always be a new challenge. This is why practitioners find Pilates to be very rewarding.

Now that you’ve read all twelve benefits of Pilates, are you now interested in doing this powerful exercise? You don’t even have to perform it every day. Pilates experts say that you can start by doing it three times a week.

The Many Benefits Of Pilates – Part 1

Pilates is ideal for all people regardless of their shape, size, or fitness level. And if correctly performed, Pilates is not very complicated but is still challenging. Below are twelve benefits that you can gain from practicing Pilates.

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Benefit #1: The Density Of Your Bones Are Improved Through Pilates Training

Building the density of your bones is usually achieved through strength training. However, improvement of bone density can also be achieved through Pilates. Both muscle and bone can be built up through weight-bearing training and resistance exercises. Resistance exercises consist of the muscle creating tension on the bone by pulling on it. Through this, the bone is fortified. In Pilates training, Pilates rings, and reformer springs provide resistance.

Benefit #2: Calories Are Effectively Burned Through Pilates Training

Although Pilates training will not burn as many calories as exercises such as running, it still burns a lot of calories. A research study from the IDEA Health and Fitness Association states four calories are burned per minute (or two hundred forty calories per hour) by participating in a beginner’s class in Pilates. The study also indicates that six calories are burned per minute (or three hundred sixty calories per hour) by participating in an intermediate course in Pilates. “Yet, Pilates may not be as effective for weight loss as other cardio exercises, such as running or swimming. That’s because you’ll burn fewer calories in traditional mat Pilates classes than if you did other cardio exercises,” Daniel Bubnis, MS says.

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Benefit #3: Back Pain Can Be Eased By Pilates Training

A research study published in 2006 by the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy states that individuals who suffered from pain in their lower back experienced a significant amount of relief from pain after they underwent and maintained a Pilates training program for twelve months. The core is strengthened by Pilates training. This strengthening of the core provides support to the back. Proper alignment is also learned in Pilates training. Although Corey D. Fogleman, MD says that, “It is unclear whether a Pilates regimen is superior to other exercise plans for the treatment of low back pain.”

Benefit #4: The Core Is Strengthened By Pilates Training

The central aspect of all Pilates classes is working on the core. Pilates works out the whole body. However, Pilates primarily concentrates on the muscles of the hips and the trunk. The muscles of the hips and the trunk are referred to as the Pilates powerhouse. The abdominal muscles are strengthened during Pilates training. This includes the obliques. And Pilates strengthens the abdominal muscles better than the usual crunches. In every Pilates exercise, the muscles of the abdomen have to be contracted efficiently. “The core muscles of the body are the deep muscles of the back, abdomen, and pelvic floor,” Richard N. Fogoros, MD explains. He adds, “When the core is strong, the frame of the body is supported.”

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Benefit #5: Injury Can Be Prevented Through Pilates Training

Flexibility is improved through Pilates training. Balance is also enhanced through Pilates training. And strength is increased through Pilates training. All of these minimizes the likelihood of injury. For example, increasing the flexibility of the hamstring by ten degrees reduces the possibility of you hurting your back whenever you bend down to pick something up from the ground. An increase in strength produces an improvement in the dynamic control of body movement, and this reduces the likelihood of injury. Balance is improved through unilateral Pilates exercises, and this minimizes the possibility of falls. Unilateral Pilates exercises are exercises that are either one-sided or one-legged.

Pilates is one type of exercise that you may assume is easy, but when you perform it – what the heck! It’s challenging to execute. You will feel your stomach crunching, and yes, your whole body will benefit from it. Speaking of benefits, we have discussed five in this article. Next week, more benefits of Pilates training will be revealed.

 

 

Pilates Enhances Aging According To Psychologists

 

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I am certain that from where you are, you have seen above-80-year-old tap dancers and gymnasts because these amazing facts are always displayed on social media – because they’re not common in our society? But why? Why don’t we see a lot of seniors that are exceptionally fit and way much younger than their real age? There are a lot of elements that could lead to longevity of life, including diet, exercise, genetics, and positivity. Many people are just scared of getting old as they automatically link this to a tremendous decrease in their health and wellness and a limitation on all previous physical activities. Psychologists agree that this is a general belief of people all over the world. Most of us, when we reach the age of 50, we complain about how terrible aging is and how much we’ve gotten inflexible because of it.

Unfortunately, for some individuals who are inflicted with a severe mental illness that seriously affects their way of living, the restrictions they face cause them to have little or no control of their particular situations. But most of the population who are physically fit, however, haven’t had sufficient information to make themselves aware of how to age gracefully through each phase of their life. It is actually each person’s obligation to maintain their own mental and physical well-being the best way that they can for themselves, their families, and society. If we succeed in this aspect, then we will be seeing more of the 80-year-old gymnasts and tap dancers. “Strength training is another important component of a well-rounded exercise program. Since many older individuals can be physically weak and frail they may not be strong enough to move their own body weight,” Lynn B. Panton and co-author point out.

 

Awesome Health And Fitness Through Pilates

As a Pilates instructor, I’ve seen different kinds of clients. One of these is a 75-year-old cheerful lady who insisted that I don’t tell her fitness classmates that her birthday was fast approaching. She was worried that when she turns 75, I might remove her from the group due to her old age. I assured her that it would never happen, as Pilates is for everyone who can perform it, and she was very relieved. Pilates meant so much to her. It was incorporated into her way of life, and she wasn’t ready to give it up – not ever. She says it has improved her core stability, balance, and resistance through training and low-impact movements. “Pilates exercises are effective in improving dynamic balance, flexibility, reaction time, and muscle strength as well as decreasing the propensity to fall in older women,” Recep Ali Ozdemir, Ph.D. and co-authors says.

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Getting Physically And Emotionally Fit With Pilates

According to Jose M. Cancela and collaborators, “Pilates method is employed for physical and mental conditioning. Elderly people could be benefited from a patterned and regulated conditioning work based on Pilates method.” Many people dream of a legendary age, which is quite different from those who suffer from illness and a decreasing fitness level. I want to encourage those who think these negative thoughts to please change your mindset today. If you think you are getting old fast, then you are! The older adults who are aging gracefully think that they are much younger than their actual age and are continually challenging themselves with new activities and experiences. When my 60-year-old clients tell me that they think they’ve plateaued or they think they can’t surpass what they’re doing right now, I just simply modify or create a new routine that would perk their interest. And as I always predict, they dig the routine! That’s because the only restriction you experience is one that you put on yourself.

Pilates is really something that you can do in conjunction with your activities of daily living. Once you’ve witnessed its tremendous benefits, you will strive to continue experiencing these benefits all the days of your life.

 

Lolita, 80

Lolita is one of my oldest Pilates clients, and she happens to be my mom’s best friend. A few days ago, I asked her to tell me what she thinks of Pilates, how it has affected her life, and the awesome benefits she witnessed since the day she practiced it.

Her First Pilates Experience

She recalls that she had a unique experience initially because it was only the emergence of new Pilates techniques, and her group was experimental. Consequently, it proved to be successful for her, as her chronic sciatic pain was alleviated, one that she was suffering from for years. She practiced every day. However, there was a time when she took a long break from Pilates, believing that she felt and great already so she didn’t need it. She felt the pain come back after a month, and her stability and strength decreased. She then committed to doing it religiously, promising not to take breaks longer than two days. Since then, her pain has disappeared, and everything in her body is smoothly running, up until today.

 

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Her Personal Goals

She aims to continue to be mentally, emotionally, and physically fit for the rest of her life. She is certain that she can only achieve optimal health and happiness if she incorporates Pilates into her life.

Lolita believes that Pilates is indicated for anyone and everyone who wants to feel young, fit, and healthy. She says that whether you’re 14 or 40, and you haven’t practiced Pilates before, you ought to start now!

 

 

 

Why Therapists Approved Pilates

We all know that Pilates is one of the most sought after exercises that provide excellent results. Though the benefits are not instant, it will soon promote overall quality enhancement over time. The advantages do not only limit to physiological aspects but support emotional and mental health as well. That explains why most clinical experts such as psychologists, therapists, and health professionals are considering it. Let’s check out more reasons why a lot of these individuals approve Pilates.

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What’s In It?

In terms of activities concerning Pilates, two amazing things are given emphasis. One of them is in the subconscious aspect. Because when there’s a registration of new muscle tone, there’s the awakening of the proprioceptive system. From there, it supports significant body awareness. Meaning, the body responds more naturally to a particular stimulus where it feels a little bit more alive. Therefore, when the body feels positively significant, there’s the tendency to accomplish more task with greater agility and responsiveness. The second best thing about Pilates is its capability to contribute widely to a person’s overall development. These include better mental and emotional stability.

“This [Pilates] work clearly demonstrates the acute and chronic benefits of Pilates training on both physical and psychological measures. It also reveals that even only once a week Pilates training is enough to trigger detectable benefits in young sedentary women. While this frequency is below the required levels of exercise for health, it may overcome the ‘lack of time’ excuse for not exercising and subsequently its tangible benefits may positively influence one’s engagement in more physical activity,” says Team Nóra Tolnai, Zsófia Szabó, MA Ferenc Köteles, PsyD & Szabo, Attila, PhD.

The Benefits Of Pilates

Pilates increases flexibility because most of its exercise involves movement in only one plane of motion. Usually, it is the forward and backward stretching of the upper or lower part of the body. An example of these particular movements or exercise is crunches and lunges. Pilates requires motion in several planes because it attempts to move spine from flexion to extension. It also includes internal and external rotations. It also involves side bending where it allows an increased range of bodily motion. With that specific enhancement of flexibility, Pilates becomes helpful in decreasing injury risk.

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Pilates is a simple exercise, but it makes a great cross-training exercise. Yes, extensive workouts like running, walking, and cycling, are okay. However, too much of these can eventually cause injury and harm. Pilates becomes a significant substitute for these types of exercises. That’s because trying to incorporate a few sessions into the mix of activities can entirely create a difference. Not only it does prevent the body from possible harm of over-exercising, but it also increases the body’s awareness, capability, and endurance.

Due to its challenging positions, Pilates becomes a great source of optimal postural alignment. That is because some of its exercises work by challenging the body’s capability to control alignment from a static position. Pilates supports the more efficient use of muscles that are only necessary to perform the specific task. As it supports better bodily alignment, there’s a promotion of better posture. Since most muscles become imbalance due to lack of usage, Pilates reverses the effects of the disproportion by creating more developed muscle symmetry.

Amy Cuddy, PhD, explains in her well-known TED Talk, how posture and body language boosts confidence, “[It is] a free no-tech life hack: change your posture for 2 minutes.” And it “could significantly change the way your life unfolds.”

The great thing about Pilates is its capability to force someone to work and focus only at a specific part of the body. There is not much pressure in doing the exercise because it trains one particular area at a time. It does not force other weaker parts to perform a task. Instead, it redevelops the lost strength and supports core enhancement. With that, a high chance of cardiovascular improvement becomes present as it works within the target aerobic zones of the body. As the heart benefits from it, the whole system becomes active and well-developed.

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According to Konul Memmedova, PhD, “Pilates increases a cognitive function – pilates is different than many other forms of exercise because it requires the mind to pay attention to what you are doing. Research shows that when required to think about how you are moving, your brain cells grow at a faster rate and your nervous system creates better connections throughout your body.” She adds “Pilates reduce stress, anxiety, fatigue and improve mood, motivation and achievement.”

Since Pilates is a form of exercise, it is capable of providing better brain development too. It can potentially aid anxiety and depression due to its well-balanced features that support better brain function. It promotes deep concentration. It naturally increases a person’s ability to meditate. Pilates is also a good source of stress-relief. As it clears the mind from unwanted thoughts, it starts to boost emotional intelligence. With that effect, it also begins to address emotional exhaustion. As it regulates brain development, it aids emotional imbalance.

There is no doubt that Pilates is one of the best solutions to keep the body healthy and the mind refreshed. That explains why a lot of people recommend it. So if you are thinking about doing some exercises, try Pilates and witness its benefits yourself. You will be amazed at how things can change physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Good luck and have fun!