The Best Pilates Strategies to Enhance Mental Wellbeing in 2023
Mental wellbeing is incredibly important and finding ways to improve your emotions and overall mood is vital in order to live a full, meaningful and happy life. Pilates can help with this, and using the right strategies you can make sure that you, or the people you know, benefit from the practice in the coming year.
Develop Your Pilates Skills
The first and most important step towards taking advantage of the mental benefits of pilates is to develop your skills. Pilates builds strength, balance and flexibility, and it can also help with weight loss and improved overall health. Even if you aren’t a seasoned practitioner, you can learn the skills necessary to start practicing.
Focus on Breath-Work
One of the core experiences of Pilates is learning how to control your breath. The process is simple, but can often be challenging for those not accustomed to paying close attention to the way they breathe. Start by learning some breathing exercises, and then focus on synchronizing your breath with the movements of the Pilates exercises. Doing this regularly can help to reduce stress and bring a sense of clarity to other areas of your life.
Look at Pilates holistically
Don’t just focus on the physical side of pilates. The practice is much more than just a series of exercises and postures, it can also be used as a method of connecting with yourself. When you’re faced with certain emotions, use pilates to focus on the sensations within your body and reflect on what these feelings can be telling you.
Set achievable goals
When it comes to improving mental wellbeing, it’s important to make sure that you don’t set unrealistic goals. Not everyone is going to be able to do a one-hour work out every day, and that’s ok. When setting a plan for pilates practice, make sure to keep it realistic and achievable. Even if you can manage 15 minutes a few times a week, you’ll start to reap the benefits in no time.
Take advantage of the community side
If you are able to find a local class, do not hesitate to join it. Surrounding yourself with supportive people will make the practice much more enjoyable, and having somebody that can give you advice and guidance as you progress can be invaluable.
Enjoy the practice
Most importantly, have fun with it. The best thing about Pilates is that it is meant to be a stress-free and enjoyable experience. Pay attention to the movements and make sure to stay mindful.
When it comes to the mental benefits of Pilates, the most important thing is to take your time and enjoy the practice. Once you start to feel the positive benefits, you can increase the intensity and duration of your practice. With the right strategies in place, you can be sure to make the most of this exercise and get ready for the upcoming year.
