Alternative Healthy Lifestyle

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Saturday, October 14, 2006

Is Pilates Safe for Older Adults?

Pilates

Dear friends,
Many people asked me ...............

Is Pilates Safe for Older Adults?

Much has been written about the benefits of pilates. Pilates, originally developed by Joseph H. Pilates and his wife Clara, is a whole body exercise program that involves the use of slow and precise movements that involve resistance and body conditioning.

Pilates is often recommended for people who are participating in some kind of rehabilitation therapy. In fact, the origins of pilates are rooted in the tradition of rehabilitation.

When Pilates was a nurse in Great Britain during World War I, he noted a need for appropriate therapy for injured and immobile soldiers returning from war. He tinkered with the hospital beds, creating an early version of a pilates apparatus by using the springs and coils on the mattresses to create a resistance machine for the patients.

When the Great Influenza swept across England and the rest of the world, thousands of the sick and injured would die. But Pilates' patients survived. Later, Pilates would boast that all of his patients survived the epidemic.

Pilates attributed this to the fact that his specially tailored exercises had improved his patients strength and health significantly. Current research seems to corroborate Pilates' observations. Indeed, regular pilates practice has been linked to a number of extraordinary health benefits.

What are the most coveted health benefits that come from regular pilates practice?

Pilates is renown for its ability to improve circulation and posture. Postural symmetry is achieved, and chronic back and neck pain can slowly begin to ease. Unlike other exercise formats, the goal of pilates is not to tone specific areas of the body or bulk up muscles.

To be continued tomorrow............... :o)


Pilates

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Sunday, October 08, 2006

The Limitations of Pilates Part II

Pilates

Dear friends,
Lets continue with .............

The Limitations of Pilates

Another significant limitation of the Pilates method has to do with controversy surrounding its ability to integrate into more traditional rehabilitation formats.

While some pilates experts recommend pilates to patients undergoing some kinds of rehabilitation therapy, some doctors argue that other strength and conditioning exercises are better suited for some patients.

For instance, some doctors recommend that patients with certain conditions, including osteoporosis, Paget's disease, osteogenesis, imperfecta, and Osteomalacia should be treated with more conventional forms of rehabilitation therapy.

At the very least, these doctors suggest, the patient should discuss their options extensively with their doctor and therapist before plunging into a pilates program.

Finally, critics of pilates argue that some of the physical conditioning benefits of pilates are exaggerated for the sake of promotion.

Many commercial pilates systems emphasize that regular practice can result in long and lean muscles. Some health experts argue that these claims are exaggerated in order to promote and sell pilates systems.

Even professional pilates instructors and experts agree that pilates should be viewed more as a whole mind- body system rather than as a means to achieve a perfectly sculpted body.

That's all for the limitation of Pilates.

Before I sign off, please remember to visit the Pilates Essential website at
http://www.PilatesEssential.com for more info on Pilates.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Cheers.


Pilates

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