Stress-relieving, rejuvenating, and relaxing– not only is Pilates one of the most versatile exercise forms, but it’s also one of the most enjoyable and therapeutic. No matter what your reason may be for practicing Pilates, it can also be one of the greatest expressions of self care. Your health and well-being are essential to an optimal lifestyle. This Thanksgiving week, it is important to not just carve the turkey, but to carve out time for yourself. Serve yourself a heap of health and gratitude with a Pilates class at your local Inspired Fitness location.
Stress Relief is Practicing Self Care
Working out is one of the most well-known stress relievers, so it’s surprising that more people don’t turn to it. Men and women alike struggle to survive these last few months of the calendar year, without going crazy or gaining tons of weight. As the holidays close in alongside those end-of-the-year events and gift shopping runs, it can easily derail us from our workouts. This doesn’t exactly set us up for much success for our New Year energy and optimism.
A great Pilates session can completely transform your day, giving you the right fuel and energy to tackle whatever’s next. On the other hand, a later session can solidify a hard day’s work and leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. When you need to get your self care back on track, Pilates works wonders both for the body and mind. Taking Pilates is self care.
Practice Self Care with Breath and Affirmations
Breath control, flexibility, and endurance all contribute to this balance and are developed through continuous exercise. Maintaining total awareness of your body and mind is super important during these workouts.
Stemming from this concept, a positive mindset and a healthy lifestyle go hand-in-hand. Self care and positive affirmations in the form of gratitude are a great way to prompt a healthier mindset. Incorporating these into your Pilates workouts themselves are fairly simple to do and can be a great daily reminder. Think about what you’re grateful for when stretching and breathing, visualize these things when you close your eyes. Set your intention with your mind and your body’s movements will naturally follow. This is, in essence, what you’re doing when you practice Pilates.
Extend Gratitude to Yourself with Pilates Classes
As you learn, you then progress on to more complex movements that require greater mental effort. Yet, the great joy all comes from challenging yourself in innovative ways and giving yourself the benefits of the highest self care you need.
With every plank you properly place and every energized kick you project, acknowledge it as self care. Growth, flexibility, comfort, peace– everything can be rolled into weekly sessions with your reformer. If it’s just to love yourself and take care of the one body you have, you’re in the right place. You’ve learned a new move, elevated your mindset a bit further each time, and helped keep yourself healthy– all with one Pilates session.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, kick back a little gratitude your way. Indulge in a few Pilates sessions before the year ends. Find out about our current Private Pilates special!
