“The Pilates method?” If it is often quoted, it is not necessarily known, so it is high time to take stock with our expert, Justine Corrion, on the prejudices and received ideas that this famous method of muscle building can arouse!
Beware of received ideas, Pilates is not “easy”! Admittedly, this is not a dynamic course like an indoor cycling session, it is on the other hand a course where every movement must be reflected and felt. We breathe in and out deeply, close our eyes and concentrate on the muscles that are working…
The Pilates method is a method of soft gym sometimes reminiscent of yoga, dance or gymnastics. What is this method? On what points is it based? What does it bring to our body? Here are a whole bunch of questions to which our expert, Justinecreator of the Pilates by Justine method, answers in the article below.
1. Pilates is a gentle sport: true and false
“Yes, we are in a gentle discipline, but the series of exercises are adaptable to each body and each level”, says Justine. Because Pilates is first and foremost a sport that respects the anatomy : we strengthen the deep muscles gently, with a lot of fluidity in the realization of the exercises. The most important thing is the placement of the body and the coordination with the breath.
2. Pilates is like yoga: wrong
“The only difference between classic Pilates and yoga is the spiritual side, the philosophy of life and meditation”. Indeed, according to Justine, the primary goal of Pilates is to strengthen deep muscles, develop flexibility, improve posture: all in controlling the placement of the body with great concentration, a lot of precision and fluidity. It’s quite technical at first but we quickly integrate these principles. And you can also integrate it into your daily life, for example, to have a nice head carriage, a nice posture, or even stand up straight. It is also very effective for the perineum.
“Personally, in my lessons or my videos*, I love to mix the two disciplines”says Justine. “I find it great to start with a little meditation or a refocusing. Some yoga postures are very complementary to Pilates. This is the essence of my PBJ method: a good dose of Pilates to which I add a hint of yoga and a little touch of dance? It’s effective for the body and for the mind!” she continues.
3. Pilates is for women: true and false
“Yes, Pilates is for women… but also for men!” Which ? “Those who need to take care of their body, and can find, through this discipline, a strong core, toned deep abs, better posture and less back and joint pain.” Of which act.
4. Pilates is useless, it’s too easy: false
“If it’s too easy, it’s not Pilates!”, Justine is offended. Indeed, if you engage the deep muscles, if you connect your body, the work is intense. “After 10 years of practice and about 7 hours of Pilates per week, personally, on certain series of exercises by doing 3 movements, my body is shaking”confides the practitioner who explains, in each of her online courses, which muscles must be engaged before performing the movement in the correct way and with the right intensity.
5. You have to be flexible to do Pilates: false
“No, not necessarily, it’s one of the advantages of Pilates. When you lack flexibility, you can adapt the exercises with small modifications such as bending your knees, for example, or sitting on a cushion”. In effect, Pilates helps to gain flexibility if you practice it regularly. “I recommend 2 to 3 times a week. Small sessions of 15 minutes at the beginning are better than nothing at all!”says Justine.
6. It takes too many accessories: false
A simple carpet is enough to start Pilates, a rather thick mat, more comfortable for the spine. Indispensable in exercises in which one rolls on the conne or when one is in support between the coccyx and the sacrum. “Then, to vary the exercises and challenge yourself more, you can buy a magic circle, rubber bands, small ankle or wrist weights and a ball that you would use as an office chair for 2 hours a day. It’s the best accessory to relieve the lower back of pregnant women”advises Justine.
7. Pilates is boring: false
Admittedly, there is no spirit of competition or collective galvanisation, but Pilates is a discipline that allows you to challenge yourself by working on strengthening deep musclesto combine breathing with movement, and to relax. “In addition, Pilates is perfect as a complement to other sports that put a strain on the body”concludes the young woman.
*Pilates by Justine method lessons can be found on the videos.pilatesbyjustine.com platform and on Instagram @pilatesbyjustine.
Photo credits: Helen Thomas
We would like to thank the writer of this write-up for this remarkable material
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