Those looking for a fun activity that can help them fill some spare time while training their body should look into yoga and Pilates. Even though these two disciplines are amongst the most popular ones in the world, many people fail to realize just how useful they truly are. Some simply discredit them because they do not appear to be particularly challenging. Others do not like the idea of stationary exercising. Regardless of the reason, not giving yoga and Pilates a chance is a big mistake. After all, the benefits of these routines are significant, and everyone who tries may find something that they enjoy.
Better Flexibility
According to certified Health Education Specialist, Josiane Peluso, the main advantage of yoga and Pilates is the rapid increase in flexibility. In fact, many individuals report impressive results after just a few weeks. Why is this important? Well, better flexibility reduces the risk of injuries such as muscle strains. More importantly, it helps keep the joints healthy, which, in turn, can help someone with basic movements that are necessary daily. After all, even walking can be a problem for those who struggle with calf or knee issues, per se. Through yoga, these deficiencies are addressed with a series of exercising that get progressively harder.
Less Stress
Although physical well-being is one of the main priorities of yoga and Pilates, people will also be able to control their stress levels much better. This is because these two disciplines offer invaluable insight into things like proper breathing. Some advanced classes even go as far as showing one how to control their emotions and avoid anxiety. So, saying that people who are dedicated could see a noticeable improvement in their mental health would not be a far-reaching statement.
Toned Muscles
As with every type of exercising that requires one to put their strength to the test, toned muscles tend to be a common byproduct. In translation, since Pilates often takes advantage of resistance training through one’s body weight or dumbbells, it is fair to expect that the muscle tissue will tighten or increase, causing improved strength and changes in appearance. This can help those who may be looking to lose some weight while maintaining enough of their muscle tissue to have tight skin and a healthy appearance still. Not to mention the fact that toned muscles are great for everyday events such as pushing, pulling, or lifting different objects.
Improved Balance and Posture
Josiane Peluso further reminds that people who are willing to have a few workouts per week can expect to have visibly better balance and posture after a few months. The reason why is that their muscles will be equally stretched in each direction. With time, this can cure the negative effects of long periods of sitting that busy professionals often have to do at their offices. Additionally, improving posture might make it easier to run as lower extremities will be properly balanced and able to tackle most terrains. So, once again, the risk of injury will go down by a considerable margin.
Increased Lung Capacity and Circulation
Even though yoga and Pilates are not the most cardio-intensive workout systems in the world, they will still raise one’s heart rate. Consequently, the person will be burning calories every time that they decide to exercise. After a while, this could help speed up their metabolism and makes it harder to gain unwanted weight. More importantly, it also aids them with cardio health by increasing lung capacity and improving the efficiency of the body’s circulation systems. So, someone who might have been struggling with running could learn that this is their new favorite activity!
Starting Slowly
As great as the benefits mentioned above are, it is essential to mention that everyone should start yoga and Pilates at their own pace. The reason why is that the body needs time to adjust to everything. Expectedly, this is especially true when it comes to high levels of physical activity. Muscle soreness should be treated appropriately, and people should get the necessary rest when they feel exhausted from working out for a few days in a row. Doing so will help them build a tolerance and cardiovascular resistance. So, what might seem difficult right now could be utterly effortless in just a few months.
To bring the risk of an injury down, even more, interested parties should discuss yoga and Pilates with their physician. This is because any and all pre-existing conditions may disqualify them from avoiding medical problems. Regardless, however, yoga and Pilates are diverse enough to provide even high-risk people with potential exercise programs.
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