Pilates, Body Awareness, and Body Positivity

 

Pexels Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

Being aware of your body movements and practicing body positivity can help with your self-awareness. Also, body awareness can help with your balance and body posture. Pilates can be helpful for focusing on your body movements. Pilates can be done outside or in your home. If you are new to beginning Pilates, you can purchase a wheel for practicing mind and body exercises.

Practice Pilates with a Pilates Wheel for thirty minutes or forty-five minutes. The Pilates Wheel helps to strengthen your muscles and helps to guide your movements in a safe manner. Also, it can help improve your posture. Nonetheless, you can also use resistance bands, foam rollers, Pilates ball, and Pilates bar. It improves your flexibility, pain relief, and for balance. 

This mind and body exercise is useful in reducing stress since you can practice mindfulness, meditation, and use breathing techniques to help you relax. Yet, you can also practice body positivity with Pilates through body awareness. Pilates can be practiced for preventing injuries, to have more energy, and can improve your sleep. Nevertheless, body awareness can be practiced through Pilates by focusing on your senses, body sensations, and notice your body signals such as pain, hunger, or tension. As well as making you have self-motivation and improving your mood.

Listening to your body and practicing self-care with Pilates can improve your thoughts about your body. Some Pilates movements can encourage you to practice body awareness such as the Plank, Pelvic Tilts, Roll Ups, The Swan Dive, Side-lying leg lifts, and Standing leg circles. The Pilates Wheel can give you support while doing the movements and focus on your breathing. Hold on the Pilates Wheel and use a phrase or a positive affirmation as you slowly do your movements with the wheel. Concentrate on how your body feels as you continue holding the Pilates Wheel. 

You can also do this with the foam rollers, Pilates ball, or the Pilates bar. You might need to modify some movements to use the Pilates wheel, foam rollers, Pilates ball, or the Pilates bar. Begin slowly to stretch your body and to observe how your body feels when you are lying down or standing on the mat. Standing movements in Pilates such as Heel Touch Calf Raise, Wall Roll Down, Squat with Balance, and Heel Raise Squat. However, always consult with your primary doctor before practicing Pilates. 

You can do Pilates in a group or individual exercises at home. Make sure you wear comfortable clothes and wear your hair in a bun, braid, or in a ponytail. Keep a simple and secure hairstyle so your hair does not get in the way as you exercise. Wait one or two hours before doing Pilates or other exercises. Repeat your movements and practice Pilates for ten minutes, thirty minutes, and forty-five minutes a day. Once you feel comfortable doing the movements, you can add one hour of Pilates at home. 

Although, there might be days when you might feel bored, tired, or have less energy to exercise; Always strive not to lose your self-motivation in exercising. Practice body awareness with self-care as well as managing your emotions. Additionally, Pilates is one form of mind and body exercise that can make you feel self-confident and can improve your self-esteem. Aromatherapy can be included in your Pilates session in assisting you to relax and to concentrate. Place a diffuser as you practice Pilates and then after you exercise use an essential oil blend with a carrier oil to do a self-massage on your legs or arms. 

No matter what the reasons are for practicing Pilates, make sure you are enjoying your mind and body exercises. Change your mind and body exercise by using the Pilates wheel in one day. Then, the next day use the Pilates ball, foam rollers, or the Pilates bar. Another item that is useful is to use a big mirror as you practice Pilates. Here are resources for Pilates. 

The Pilates Wheel: An Overview-Coach M. Morris:

The Pilates Wheel: An Overview – Coach M Morris

Pilates Workout at Home: 7 Exercises, 20 Minutes:

Pilates Workout at Home: 7 Exercises, 20 Minutes

8 Ways to Use Essential Oils for Enhanced Pilates Recovery-Reality Pathing:

8 Ways to Use Essential Oils for Enhanced Pilates Recovery | Reality Pathing

* Pexels Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko