What benefits do you get from doing Pilates?!
Question:
What benefits do you get from doing Pilates?
also yoga
Answers:
I've done weekly sessions of apparatus and/or mat Pilates for almost 4 years. I've seen very significant improvement in (in no particular order) my posture, breathing, flexibility, balance, strength, and mind/body/spirit connection. It is not best for losing inches or for burning calories. Aerobic work is much better for those goals. But Pilates will give you a "core awareness", core being the abs/glutes/lower back, that will carry over into everyday life, whether you are lifting groceries or betting up from that favorite beanbag chair (futon?). Anyway, core awareness will help protect you from injury to your arms and legs, because those limbs won't be doing all the work.
A suggestion: find a Pilates studio and, if permitted, do a drop-in mat class. That should run no more than $15 or so. If you like it, sign up for a series of beginner mat classes. Good luck!