Why everyone should try Pilates Active resistance

Pilates is a form of exercise that has many health benefits.

Movementor Pilates owner/director, Abbey Parsons, discusses how Pilates came about and when it was introduced in Aotearoa.

Pilates is named after Joseph Pilates, she says.

“Sadly, he died too young and before he could see the global spread of his method. In New Zealand, the early 1990s saw the opening of the first Pilates studio in Auckland, by a mentor of mine, Maree Seerden.”

Pilates was often connected with dancers and performers but in the last 10 years, Pilates has become accessible to the New Zealand public. In the last 15 years, Abbey has run her business and seen how much more popular Pilates has become.

“More recently there has been a rise of Reformer Pilates, which often are fitness-based classes at a higher pace and intensity and made popular by celebrities. I tend to have a more individualised approach and tailor each session to the needs of the client or group I am teaching.”

Joseph said Pilates is the complete coordination of body, mind and spirit, Abbey says. “Pilates movements and exercises are performed with control and precision, which takes mental awareness and patience. When you are doing Pilates movements you are focused on the task at hand and there is no room for thinking about the bills or the ills.”

Abbey encourages her clients to focus on the sensations in their bodies. They learn how to move safely and more about their body.

By Natasha Parrant

“Physically the benefits that come from moving, stretching, pushing, pulling, and balancing are numerous.”

Everyone should give Pilates a go because doing new things is healthy and fun. New experiences release dopamine, which is a feel-good hormone, she says.

On Pointe Studio is a Christchurch-based Pilates studio co-owned by Lyndal Woodham and Katrina Buchanan.

They believe everyone should try Pilates because it’s great for strengthening and toning the body, and helps build strength in the core and spine alignment, whilst highlighting having slow, controlled breathing to support the nervous system.

“Which is vital in this busy world we live in. So, it really is a workout for the body and the mind,” Lyndal says.

They believe Pilates can benefit everyone.

“There is a misconception that Pilates is for older women, that it is an easy, more relaxed form of exercise when in reality everyone can benefit hugely from Pilates, and with an experienced instructor, it is anything but easy,” Lyndal says.

“Low impact and a focus on strengthening and engaging the entire core, Pilates provides protection to the spine, lower back in particular, which is a common body area that gets overloaded and injured,” Katrina says.

“Just remember no two studios are the same and it’s okay to question which is the right place for you. Some are more gym-based classes and others more traditional.”