I began doing Pilates several years ago when I was searching for a different look for my body. I had been exercising for many years when I began to experience a level of dissatisfaction with way my body looked. While I was lean and muscular, my body had a packed, crowded look to it. The more I used weights, thicker my muscles looked. In addition, no matter how many crunches and reverse curls I did, I still had this abdominal bulge that would not budge. It drove me crazy.

I began to yearn for body I had as a dancer – trim, strong, with elongated muscles. That’s when I stumbled upon Pilates. The people who did Pilates exercises had long, lean look that I craved. So I began to do Pilates exercises and I have never looked back.

What are Pilates exercises all about?

They focus on your core. - Pilates focuses on strengthening core of your body – deep abdominal muscles and pelvic stabilizers, back, butt, and also creating flexibility in spine. This continual focus on core has helped me get rid of my belly bulge and also develop ‘six pack’ abs .

They work your entire body as one unit. - Many people ask how Pilates exercises relate to yoga poses. In many instances, poses overlap. However, while in yoga you often hold a pose, in Pilates you are always moving. In addition, no matter what area of body you are focusing on, you are still engaging your entire body. For example, if you are doing an exercise for your legs, you simultaneously hold in your abdominal muscles and maintain proper body alignment while executing movement.

Recently, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a chronic muscle and soft tissue pain syndrome. One of my osteopathic doctors told me that if I hadn’t been doing Pilates (and yoga), I would not be able to get on and off examining table. As a matter of fact, when patients come to see him because of pain, he often recommends Pilates as a method of treatment.

While it certainly helps with physical problems, you will find many other positive rewards when you start integrating Pilates into your exercise program.

#1 Benefit of Pilates – Strong Core Pilates focuses on strengthening your deep abdominal muscles, your back and your butt. This results in greater pelvic stability and less likelihood that you will sustain an injury in your back. You will also enjoy having a flat, toned and sleek tummy.

#2 Benefit of Pilates - Improved Posture Pilates works to lengthen spinal compression that you might be developing, especially as you grow older or spend long hours hunched over in front of a computer. Many of us spend a great part of day with our shoulders slumped forward. Pilates encourages you to lengthen back of your neck and to slide your shoulder blades back and down. This encourages better postural alignment and allows you to stand and sit straighter and taller.