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What is Pilates?
Why choose a Pilates holiday or Pilates weekend? What benefits does Pilates offer? Pilates is an ingenious training method inspired by yoga, tai chi, mensendieck, the Alexander Technique and physiotherapy. You train your body and your mind in a Pilates session, working on your posture, stability, coordination and breathing. The gentle, small yet fluid movements create a strong core (abdominals and back) and increase balance and coordination. There are so many benefits to be had from Pilates, it’s almost too good to be true: improved posture – which in turn reduces and prevents common back complaints – enhanced respiration and blood circulation, as well as greater flexibility and suppleness.
Who is Pilates for?
Pilates is for everyone: young or old, fit or full of good intentions to get fit. Pilates classes and holidays are suitable for all. As it uses gentle, small, concentrated movements an no jolting is involved, Pilates is a good form of exercise for injury-prone people, those new to exercise, heavily overweight and mature sports people. Physiotherapists all over the world recognise the health benefits Pilates offers during rehabilitation or to compliment regular treatment of chronic conditions.
Core-stability
Pilates can be done on a mat using body weight, or alternatively on Pilates equipment. It is a highly effective workout to both strengthen and lengthen all the muscles in the body. However, the star of the show is your core: i.e., the stomach, back and pelvic floor muscles. Pilates exercises recruit these muscles, making them stronger. A strong core is the foundation for good posture. Standing correctly and sitting up straight become second nature through Pilates. A strong core also provides strength and balance when performing your daily activities. This is how Pilates helps protect your back, reducing the risk of injury.
Pilates is 'the art of controllogy'
Joseph Pilates, the inventor of the exercise, described his method as 'the art of controllogy'. Pure mental focus will grant you control over your body. Which is why you won’t hear any loud music or thudding beats during a Pilates class. Some instructors do use calming background music.
Pilates holiday and Pilates weekend with professional instructors
Pilates can be practised anywhere. In theory, all you need is a mat. And a good instructor, of course. On Puurenkuur holidays, you can be sure to receive instruction from professional Pilates teachers, who will closely monitor you, making sure that you are performing the exercises correctly. The wellness resorts carefully selected by Puurenkuur offer Pilates in a fabulous, peaceful setting; some even by the beach or in and among nature.