PILATES

My previous post was on yoga, so this one is about pilates.

P/S: Hopefully blogger Hafiz Hector will not say I am a pilates instructor. :)

Yoga is very popular in this part of the world, however, pilates is as famous as yoga in the West. Created by Dr Joseph Pilates, who was born with many sickness at young, he was inspired that we should control our body and not otherwise. As such, Pilates created a new exercise that focus on the our core muscles (scientifically known as transverse muscle), which is found beneath our pubic area. The exercise was done in a systematic and controlled movement via connection between our other muscles with the core, meaning none parts of your body would be missed for training. P/S: Maybe penis is excluded in this exercise.. ha ha ha

Pilates teaches balance and control of the body, and that capacity spills over into other areas of one's life.

Major components in pilates include breathing technique (lateral breathing), core connection and maintaining a neutral spine. Major benefits by practicing pilates are:

1. Ease back pain (by strengthening the core muscles)

2. You will be taller (as it keeps lengthening your spine)

3. Six pecks (as all exercises involves your tummy area)

4. Strengthening your muscles and joints (you will build lean muscles, and get a well-toned body)

5. Less injuries (as all movements are cordinated via your core)

6. A correct posture (have you ever seen the posture of a model walking on the stage or a dancer? Tiger Woods practices pilates for correct posture in golf)

In fact, some of the pilates exercises were being modified from yoga. What's the different between yoga and pilates? A lot of differences, especially in breathing techniques and pilates is all about lengthening your spine. In fact, when you open a male fitness magazine such as Men's Health etc, those techniques shown for abs are mostly based on pilates techniques.

Some of the pilates techniques are shown here:

I have learnt pilates for a period of 9 months, and I got a toner body, balance trained muscles, and of course a smaller waist. In just 4 months of doing pilates, my waist was trimmed at least 3 inches. (Well, I am not showing off here, just want to share the benefits of pilates here :P)

Try it and you will feel the difference...

P/S: Shine, pilates is not to train for self-suck.