24 Jun Pilates coming to Serenity Yoga

Pilates VS Yoga – that age old question! Now you don’t have to choose! Serenity Yoga brings you daily classes in both Yoga and Pilates! Yay!

We are super excited to announce that we have our very own Pilates Instructor on paradise teaching Pilates classes every single day between June 25^th and July 16^th – Yay!!! So check out our new schedule (to be announced Wednesday 24^th June) to see when you can fit in your daily dose of Yoga AND Pilates now!! Our fabulous Instructor will also be available for private Pilates sessions, and TRX sessions to anyone who is interested to learn more.

What is Pilates?

www.letsdancepilates.co.za photo credit

Pilates is a body-conditioning regimen founded by Joseph Pilates over ninety years ago.

Its long lasting popularity is a true indication of how effective Pilates is for all body types, conditions and all ages.

Pilates will help you look and feel at your very best, and most importantly, at your healthiest.

Pilates aims to strengthen the body in an even way, with particular emphasis on core strength to improve general fitness and well being.

Our 9 Top Reasons to do Pilates:

1. Connecting mind to body  

mylocalpilates.com photo credit

Pilates allows us to become consciously aware of how we move, our breath and what muscles we need to activate for certain exercises. Joseph Pilates was strong in his thinking that Pilates was about “the complete co-ordination of body, mind and spirit” (sounds familiar to yoga right).

Like yoga, we practice each movement with absolute focus, which means that when we move the body and mind unite to bring forth maximum benefits from each pose.

2. Pilates is whole body fitness

Unlike some forms of exercise, Pilates does not over develop some parts of the body and neglect others. While it does concentrate on the core strength, it trains the body as an integrated whole. Pilates workouts promote strength and balanced muscle development as well as flexibility and increased range of motion for the joints.

3. Great for improving posture and joint alignment

Enhancing strength and capability within the body – allowing us to trust our bodies and giving us freedom to do activities we want to! A strong core equals a strong body and good posture. Pilates trains the body to express itself with strength and beauty and elegance.

If you practice regularly Pilates is known for creating lean, strong muscles and a lean look. It improves our muscle tone, balance and posture, which help us in turn to move through life with grace.

4. Adaptable to many fitness levels

Whether you are an elite athlete or a newbie to exercise, or somewhere in between, the foundations of Pilates apply to you. Building from core strength, focusing on proper alignment, and a body/mind integrative approach makes Pilates accessible to everyone.

5. Injury treatment and prevention

Many people have faulty movement patterns that are usually the underlying reason injury or movement dysfunctions occur, a Pilates practice creates body awareness and over time we can change these patterns.

It is an excellent addition to any other training to enhance performance, prevent injury or for prehab and rehab.

6. Great for stability, flexibility and coordination

 We work towards a safe increase in length and stretch of the muscles and range of motion within the joints. A body that can stretch and bend to meet the flow of life is a very realistic goal!

7. Creating for increasing core strength

The core muscles of the body are the deep muscles of the back, abdomen and pelvic floor. These are the muscles we rely on for a strong supple back, good posture and efficient movement patterns. When our core is strong, the body is well supported for our daily movements.

It is also the perfect form of exercise for anyone needing to increase his or her core stabilization in order to prevent back injury or to help to support healing from a back injury.

8. Creates strength without bulk

Like yoga, long lean muscles are the name of the game here. We are building toned muscles that work perfectly within the context of the body as a whole and the functional fitness needs of a person as they move through life.

9. Increases energy

Like all exercise – the more you move the more energy you have and the more you feel like doing it again! That feel good factor! Pilates energizes our bodies through the breath and body connection, stimulating the spine, and muscles and flooding the body with those happy endorphins.