Five Benefits of Balanced Body Pilates that are more than Skin Deep

While many people sign up for Balanced Body Pilates to obtain a sculpted body, the benefits of Pilates are more than skin-deep.  Here are five surprising benefits for the Pilates novice.

Keep Your Memories from Fading

• As we age, our memory just isn't what it used to be.  Changes to our memory happen earlier than you might think.  By our late twenties, the volume of our hippocampus begins to diminish by 1%.  In short: Our brains are shrinking.  For quite some time, neuroscientists believed that people were born with a fixed amount of brain cells.  However, recent findings suggest that the brain is capable of producing new cells and, as a result, slowing down brain shrinkage.  Better yet, research shows that exercise promotes the creation of brain cells.  This most noticeably benefits the hippocampus, which is the area of the brain responsible for cognitive function and memory.  Additional studies show that individuals who participate in mindful exercises like Yoga and Pilates have a superior brain function compared to those who do not exercise.  So, if you want to have the memory of an elephant, get stretching!

Body Talk

• As Pilates engages the muscles in your body, your nervous system functions more efficiently. How does this work?  A simple explanation is each movement engages a specific area of the brain.  The relationship between your body and your brain causes the brain to send an impulse from the spinal cord to muscle fibers.  It is important to remember that your core is not only comprised of the deeply coveted six-pack but twenty-nine muscles.  Engaging those muscles activates a surge of communication between your brain and your body, and better communication between the two means a healthy nervous system.

C'mon Get Happy

• Pilates is part of the mindful movement, which means it has meditative properties.  In addition to physical improvements, the meditative aspect of Pilates relieves anxiety and depression, improves sleep, combats negative emotions, and enables positive habits.  With all of those improvements to your mental and emotional health, it is no wonder why Pilate novices notice an improvement in their moods.

Don't Stress

• When we feel fear, our bodies are evolutionarily programmed to fight or flee.  While these impulses enabled the survival of our species, unfortunately, our bodies aren't able to distinguish a life-threatening fear (like a car accident) from a stressful situation (like a class presentation).  When faced with a stressful situation, our body is at peak stress hormone production.  The build-up of stress hormones results in hypertension and muscle pain.  Luckily, Pilates can relieve the tension from stress hormones.  Remove the stress from your mind by removing it from your body.

Hold Your Head Up High

• According to social psychologist Amy Cuddy, proper posture can boost your confidence.  Because proper body alignment is essential in the Pilates method, improved posture is a beneficial byproduct of practicing Pilates.  With great posture comes a confidence boost.

Pilates is a great tool for leading a happier and healthier life.  Sculpt your way to a happier you with Balanced Body Pilates.

Source : articlesbase.com