The Basics of Pilates and OsteoporosisPilates is a popular fitness program that is known to focus on stretching, strengthening and balancing of the different areas of the body. It makes use of a system or sets of body specific exercises that is practiced along with focused breathing patterns. The exercises also help in teaching proper breathing awareness while doing them and helps aid spine alignment. The exercises in this system also aim to strengthen the deep torso muscles that are more commonly known as the "core". History
The Pilates system was first developed by a German by the name of Joseph Pilates sometime during the First World War. In the system that is now widely known by his last name, the aim was to help improve the rehabilitation program being provided for the returning war veterans. This type of fitness regimen was proposed the make use only of a few and precise movements. This makes it a more convenient fitness regimen especially for injured soldiers. It has more emphasis on control and form, adding a mental aspect to fitness. A primary aim then was to help injured soldiers to regain their strength, as well as, to stabilize some of the body's key muscles.Mental AspectAt first, Joseph Pilates initially called this new fitness system as Contrology. The term was chosen because he believed that the new method and its exercises needed to make use of the mind more often in order to control the muscles to achieve the perfect execution and form of each type of exercise. The aim was to make the mind work closely together with the body in order to allow movements with grace and balance but with the least amount of movement possible. It is important in this exercise system to always pay close attention to the body as it moves when doing the exercises.Breathing AspectAnother thing that Joseph believed is that good blood circulation is very important for having a healthy body. The blood needs to circulate properly in order for the body to function more efficiently. Good circulation helps awaken the cells in the body. Good circulation also helps a lot in getting rid of waste products in cells and tissues. These are the body’s waste products that can be related to fatigue. One way for good circulation to do its work properly is through proper breathing. As the blood circulating in the body needs to be rich in oxygen and be freed of waste gases, proper breathing will allow it to do so. He believed that proper breathing and good circulation go hand in hand. And because of this the practice of proper breathing is an important part of each exercise.Core FocusThis exercise and training system also focuses on strengthening the group of muscles usually referred to as the "core". This group of muscles which is located in the center of the body includes the muscles in the hips, abdomen, lower back and the buttocks. The Pilates exercises focuses on building a more powerful core. This is where the body's energy is said to originate from. The core is also vitality important for osteoporosis prevention. A strong core can give you a better balance and less risk of falling.ResourcesThere are several Pilates exercise programs designed specially for osteoporosis prevention or for women who already have osteoporosis. These are simple exercise plans you can do at home. Here are some good resources I recommend:
Return to Osteoporosis from Pilates
|
