We all know the importance of movement for a health life. But we need a healthy posture in addition to being active. And we need to do Pilates for that!
Taylan Ertaş, founder of City’s Pilates and personal trainer says, “Pilates is key for a healthy lifestyle” and highlights that although Pilates is considered as a sports branch for many people, it is an exercise method required by all sports branches. The main purpose of this method is to ensure the right posture for the individual and prevent the posture problems of the athletes. The key for the Pilates is that it is a recovery treatment method when there are any injuries.
FLEXIBILITY OR POWER?
Pilates “the power of flexibility”. As the joint spacing is high, the risk for injury is low. Therefore, an individual can use his/her power in a larger range. Pilates has a positive contribution for this flexibility. For example, branch athletes need flexibility for a stronger performance. At this moment, I can say that Pilates plays a critical role to increase this performance. Pilates adds flexibility to athlete’s power, supports the balance center and bone structure of the body and helps carrying the performance to the top level.
WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PILATES POSES AND BREATHING?
As it is vital for us to breath, correct breathing is important for Pilates as well. The correct breathing is the basis for Pilates. You can do the poses in a more balanced and serial way. Breathing is involuntary and voluntary inhaling. Joseph Hubertus, the founder of Pilates had asthma problem and eliminated this problem from his life by using the right breathing technique. Pilates exercises will help you to use the correct breathing technique which is the diaphragm breathing to fix the body during the poses for a more controlled and smooth transition.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN FACTORS TO DO PILATES?
Pilates helps an individual to have the right posture and it is important for both physical and psychological development. Since Pilates is a resistance exercise, it supports increasing the bone density and helps preventing osteoporosis. Also, it makes the body firmer and muscles stronger. It prevents injuries and supports increasing the body flexibility. In addition to that, Pilates increases the cardiovascular coordination.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU DO PILATES FOR EFFECTIVE RESULTS?
You need to do Pilates regularly for effective results and the individuals need to turn this method into a lifestyle. Each individual has different body mechanism and needs. At this point, the instructors need to individually analyze the student. Then, a program to support the body should be created. I recommend once in every 2 days or at least 2 days per week.
WHICH MISTAKES DO YOU NOTICE THE MOST WHEN IT COMES TO PRACTICE?
Sustaining the posture in the daily life in Pilates might have negative results. You need to have the right body position while doing Pilates. You might experience injuries during exercise if you don’t do these positions. An individual needs to know his/her body and discover which poses are suitable… An incorrect movement during Pilates will cause an injury and directly impact the quality of life. Therefore, I believe that Pilates must be done with an instructor.
