CL's Guide to: Pilates Classes | College Lifestyles

At the end of my second semester of college, I wrote in my final dance history paper, ?I wouldn?t want to do Pilates because I?m too lazy.? My professor didn?t appreciate my statement.

Nearly three year later, I have a different perspective. Since I wrote that paper, I joined the cross country and track teams, learned more about my body and kinesiology through class and became stronger physically, mentally and emotionally.

Hearing positive things about Pilates made me realize I would love to try it. It is a fantastic workout for co-eds.

Joseph Pilates developed Pilates in Germany. The exercises focus on engaging and strengthening the core and uses specific breathing techniques. Due to the short time it takes to see results, stars like Miley Cyrus and Madonna love practicing Pilates in order to stay fit.Pilates can be practiced at any level, so don?t let not having experience stop you from giving it a try. According to Pilates instructor Karen P. Campbell, there are many different reasons to practice Pilates, including as a way to recover and prevent injuries and to enhance the performance of athletes and dancers.

Need more reasons to give it a try? Campbell raves about the fabulous benefits of Pilates: ?With consistent practice you will enjoy improved balance, coordination, flexibility, posture and physical appearance, leaner muscles and overall improved well-being.?

Pilates can be taught on a mat and with Pilates equipment, like a reformer, or from a DVD. Students can choose to take classes either individually or in a group setting. Check out FitSugar?s pros and cons comparison.

The reformer?s design resembles a hospital bed and includes pulleys and springs. A practitioner uses the springs for resistance and gain benefits like balance and flexibility. However, for someone who isn?t experienced with Pilates, it can be unsafe to practice without the guidance of a certified instructor.

Pilates instructor Jennifer Read recommends taking a few private lessons to get a feel for Pilates and to ensure you are doing the exercises correctly. Take what you learned into mat and reformer classes.

Similarly, a student practicing with a DVD doesn?t have an in-person teacher to make corrections and fix alignment issues (though, DVDS can be great to use if you can?t make it to a class!).

Pilates instructor Brooke Siler tells Bodyhack, ?Matwork (which is the focus of most Pilates DVDs) is the most challenging aspect of the Pilates work because it uses your own body?s resistance without any framework. You can?t see if you?re working in an imbalanced manner. The right teacher can help inform you of what and how to work your individual body in the way that will provide the most benefit and the least risk. It?s worth the effort.?

Yoga and Pilates share some similarities, which may cause confusion when trying to differentiate them. Combination classes teaching a mix of yoga and Pilates can make the distinction even more confusing. The key is knowing the intentions behind both practices.

The practice of yoga was created more than 5,000 years ago, whereas Pilates began in the 1900s. Yoga philosophy includes things for a person?s everyday life, not just fitness practice. For example, one of Pantanjali?s eight limbs of yoga is yamas (or restraints), like ahimsa (non-violence).

Lara Hudson, creator of the 10 Minute Solution: Pilates DVDS, sums up the difference between Pilates and yoga succinctly: ?While yoga has amazing physical benefits, fitness is not its main objective ? mindfulness is the meat and potatoes of yoga, and fitness is the gravy.?

Regardless of the differences, both yoga and Pilates, as well as the many other forms of exercise, can be part of a well-rounded workout plan.

Have you tried a Pilates class? Tell CL about your experiences.

Source: http://collegelifestyles.org/2013/01/cls-guide-to-pilates-classes/

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