Pilates Does a Mind & Body Good
Don't knock it unless you've tried it. Move over Yoga and welcome to Pilates!!! Most people in Seattle go to Starbucks for their Espresso, get Thai food on the corner, and do Yoga. Face it, it's hip.
But have you tried Pilates? I have always been active in sports and gone to the gym to work out. But not until recently, when I blew out a couple disk's in my lower spin did I realize how good Pilates is.
Both of my parents go to Pilates. My Dad used to be rather hunched over with bad posture, but I noticed how much better he got. I too had become a slouch with all that time sitting in front of the computer. I also kept on hurting myself whether I was skiing, playing soccer, mountain biking, or just going out for a jog.
Some of my friends think the fact that I go to Pilates is silly. They say, "dude, chicks go to things like Pilates and Yoga; and if you're a guy going to Yoga, your their to pick up on the chicks." Well I'm here to tell you that the saying is true about criticizing the things you don't understand (although my instructor is a beautiful woman).
Pilates strengthens your inner core of muscles, the ones that don't pick up chicks but makes you feel good. My posture is better, my back doesn't hurt, my knees don't hurt, I'm not pulling my calf muscles regularly, and I think my skiing and soccer has improved because of it. Granted I don't think it helps shed any pounds, but it does give you more balance. The exercise and breathing also helps to clear your mind.
If you are looking to try it out, I highly recommend going to Maya in Fremont. The people there are very nice, very informative, and make the workout fun. I look forward to my little sessions. Check out the Maya website link on my Network page.
Sign up, take some classes and thank me later. Especially if you are like me, who's been active their entire life and all of a sudden things start to hurt. It will fix you up and keep you active. Oh, Yoga is also really good and don't give it up. I think they are both beneficial and better than getting your 'beef-cake' on at the gym. Your life is what you make it, make it good and healthy.