Pilates is an exercise for the brain

Pilates is an exercise for the brain as well as the body

One of the things I love about Pilates is how the rest of the world fades out and I am completely centered in myself and the movements in my body. It’s like movement meditation. I often ask my clients, “how much tension do you need for this exercise, what can you let go of to make it look smooth and maybe effortless?” Those words have an effect on a person. Hopefully, thoughts of breakfast or lunch fade away and suddenly your focus is on yourself performing the move and at the same time letting go of unnecessary tension and thoughts. It’s easy to over work in some moves, it’s much harder to make that move look smooth and precise. But that is the point in Pilates exercises. Really, that is the point for all the athletic pursuits we love in this town. We all want to look smooth, in control, and precise. And to look this way we need our brain in the game. Full concentration with coordination of breath helps us perform better. All these are all part of the Pilates principles;

1. To move from your center
2. Perform the movements with control
3. Concentrate and stay aware not only on the moving body part, but what the rest of the body is doing
4. Every movement has a purpose, so precision of that movement creates success
5. Breathing patterns assist the mind and body by focusing the attention and direction of the body
6. Find the flow of the movement

That is why Pilates becomes a practice. It is not easy to incorporate all these things right away. It takes time. This is applicable to any athletic activity. I asked one of my clients for an example of how this applies to one of his favorite sports, biking. He said when you are drafting and just inches from another person’s wheel, you have to be calm and focused. Too much tension can make you over-react, too little and you’re off the back of their wheel. Concentration, control and precision are key to having the right amount of tension to anticipate the front person’s move.
In skiing, the moment I can just follow the flow of my skis and relax into my turn, it feels more effortless and with that release of excess tension, I am actually more in control. This does not come naturally to me as it does many people who have grown up skiing. I have to mentally decide that I need to move with more ease to become more efficient. In that moment I feel connected to my body and the speed with which I am going downhill.

For many of us, we may think of concentration as creating tension. Pilates is telling us that concentration has an element of keeping only necessary tension and allowing the rest to release. It brings focus and awareness to the moment and task being performed. I like that. What tension can you let go of? The brain will tell the body the answer.

For further information or to schedule an appointment please contact Wendy Borof, with Pilates Balance, at Alison Palmer Physical Therapy and Wellness Center 970-729-0678. We are located in the Cimarron Lodge at the bottom of lift 7. Wellness is the full integration of mind, body and spirit. We look forward to helping you towards a healthier life.