If you want to enhance your overall mental and physical wellbeing, movements that simultaneously engage the mind and body are among the best types of exercises.

Around since World War I, Pilates, while trending, is not a new phenomenon. It was initially used by its creator, Joseph Pilates, to rehabilitate bedridden soldiers. He originally called this unique form of exercise, Controllogy. The focus of this time tested method was to strengthen the body through controlled movements that initiated directly from the core (body’s center). Core controlled movements remain the sole stratagem of what has now been popularized as Pilates.

The core muscles include the deep abdominal muscles, the muscles around the spine, and even the buttocks. All of the 500 exercises that make up the Pilates Method of body conditioning focus on the core. Needless to say, with so much attention being given to the core, with regular practice of Pilates, you can absolutely expect to see a tighter flatter, tighter tummy. As your core and limbs work in unison to accomplish each Pilates’ movements, your entire body will become firm. In fact, Pilates is so effective at working muscles at their deepest level that you are likely to see results you have never obtained with any other form of exercise.

Pilates is a very special exercise form because its movements require gentle care and focus, prompting the mind and body to work together through specific breathing patterns. With patience and practice, the mind and body can operate like a well-tuned orchestra, working synergistically with grace and precision. When your mind and body work together, you can expect to develop greater focus and better coordination, resulting in a clearer mind. When the body participates in harmonious mind-body activities, great things happen at a chemical level. New synapses (connections) develop in the brain, again, resulting in a sharper mind, improved memory, and increased cognition. Pilates has been shown to increase the production of serotonin, a chemical which acts as a mood stabilizer to relieve depression and anxiety. Perhaps, Pilates’ greatest feat is that it prompts the body to relax while exacting a peaceful overall rejuvenating feeling. Ultimately, you will feel less stressed!

If you have not tried Pilates, you definitely should! If you have tried it and have given up, give it another chance. Approach it with an open mind, realizing it is a journey where patience and practice are essential to achieve the most bountiful mind-body rewards.

DOUBLE LEG STRETCH

SET UP: Using a mat, lie on down on your back. Bring your knees into your chest. Gently place your hands at your shins or ankles. Lift your head, neck and shoulders off the ground.

INHALE: Inhale as you simultaneously extend your arms and legs straight out. Your arms should softly sweep from your ankles to beside your ears, while your legs should be straight out, toes pointed, at a 45 degree angle or lower. Your neck and shoulders remain off the floor through the entire movement.

EXHALE: Exhale while using your abdominals, pull your legs back into your chest and sweep your arms around and down to your ankles.

REPEAT: Using slow and controlled motion, repeat to complete a total of 10 reps.

SINGLE STRAIGHT LEG STRETCH

SET UP: Lie on your back and lift your head and shoulders off the floor. Lift one leg straight up to a 90 degree angle and extend the other leg to a 45 degree angle. Grasp the leg that is straight up at the ankle or calf, whichever you can reach.

INHALE: Take a deep inhale and tug your straight leg to your chest for just one pulse. EXHALE: Continue inhaling and exhaling in rhythm as you swiftly switch each leg through the air like scissors.

REPEAT: Continue to complete a total of 15 reps.

CRISS CROSS

SET UP: Lie on your back and bend your knees up above your hips. Place your hands behind your head, keeping elbows wide and lift head and top part of your shoulders off the floor.

INHALE: In set up position, take a deep inhale before beginning the movement.

EXHALE: Lift your left shoulder and bring it across towards your right knee while you extend the left leg straight out to about 45 degrees. As you come back to the center, inhale and then exhale to move to repeat the movement in the opposite direction.

REPEAT: Continue to complete 10 slow repetitions followed by 10 fast, but controlled, repetitions.

ROLLING LIKE A BALL

SETUP: Sitting on a mat, bring your knees into your chest. Grasp the outer part of each ankle. Balance yourself on your buttocks. Keep your feet off the ground. Bring your eye gaze to your knees. Drop your shoulders away from your ears, widen your back and deepen your abdominals. Allow your back to form a C-curve

INAHLE: Pull the lower abs in and up to get yourself going and roll back during your inhale. Roll only up to the shoulders, but not onto the neck. Pause and balance for a second.

EXHALE: Maintain a deeply scooped position with your spine curved. As you exhale use only your abdominals to return to upright position. Pause and balance for a second.

REAPEAT: Continue rolling like a ball for 10 reps.

THE SAW

SETUP: Sit on the floor. Straighten your legs and place them a little wider than hip width apart.  Press your feet straight up so that your toes are pointed toward the ceiling. Extend your arms straight out at your sides. INHALE: While in set up position, take a deep inhale.

EXHALE: Begin exhaling as you twist from the waist to bring the outside of your right hand to the outside of your right foot. Your fifth finger and fifth toe should touch. Exhale out for a 1-2-3 pulse, as you pretend to saw at your toe with your finger. Inhale as you return to set up position.

REPEAT: Continue switching from the right side, to the center then to the left side to complete 10 reps.

SWIMMING

SET UP: Lie face down on a mat with arms extended overhead and palms facing down.

INHALE: Drawn your belly button in as you raise your limbs slightly off the floor squeezing your buttocks to protect your lower back.

EXHALE: Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth in rhythm while lifting opposing arms and legs off the floor in unison. For example, while all limbs are off the floor, lift the right arm and left leg slightly higher, then switch.

REPEAT: Continue swimming, swapping arms and legs in unison, to complete 20 reps.

CHILD POSE: 

SET UP: To start, kneel on your mat. Touch your feet together behind you and spread your knees at least hip width apart.

INHALE: Breathe in as you bend forward at the waist, bring your arms above your head and place them palms down on the mat. You could also place them beside your thighs if you prefer. Allow your body to relax over your thighs and rest your forehead on the mat.

EXHALE: As you fold over, let all the air out of your lungs. Now breathe in a controlled and relaxed manner. Notice the feeling in your neck, back, and hips; let go of any and all stress and tension you may be holding in these regions.

REPEAT: Stay in child’s pose for a minute or two, or until you feel completely relaxed.