Pilates and Brain Health
Pilates is loved because of its ability to strengthen your body like no other workout. But, you can also thank Pilates for strengthening your brain and your mental health as well!
Why Pilates is Good For Your Brain
1. Strengthens Memory
Pilates is an exercise that forces you to really concentrate on what you are doing right here, right now. This helps to strengthen your memory and your brain, as you are challenged throughout the entire class. Every new move that you learn, every modification that you make during class requires thinking, and that is great for your brain.
2. Improves Focus
Because (as we mentioned above) you have to focus so strongly on your movements, you will find your focus strengthening in other areas of your life. The focus during Pilates is absolutely necessary to stay safe and steer clear of injury — you want to always pay attention to the moves you are making and ensure that you don’t accidentally topple off the machine.
3. Builds Mindfulness
When you come to a class, you’ll find yourself constantly reminded of what you are doing, and why you are doing it.
Pilates gets you into the mental state where you can push through the struggle of your class to get the Pilates shake and burn. With a focus on breath, you will find your mindfulness greatly improving. You’ll find yourself slowing down your running-at-warp-speed brain and thinking just about that present moment.
4. Fights Stress
Pilates is a great chance for you to leave the stress at the door and unwind. Exercise releases endorphins, as well as decreases your cortisol levels — both of which will help your mood and your stress.
5. Helps with Depression
It helps you to focus on what you’re doing at the present moment, and helps distract your brain from other thoughts (in this case, depressed thoughts). Because Pilates is a social workout, you are amongst other people which always has the potential to help lift your mood. (And we truly do have the best Pilates community). 🙂
Quite simply, if you want to keep your brain healthy and functioning at its best, keep moving!