Pilates for Pink

I subscribe to SHAPE magazine (along with a slew of other health-related magazines) and recently saw an ad about an upcoming event - Pilates for Pink. I first discovered Pilates about 10 years ago, and while I haven't been practicing it for a while it's always something I go back to. I really think it makes a difference in creating lean, long, and strong muscles. As someone who really doesn't want to "bulk" it's a perfect fit.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the practice, it was started in 1912 by Joseph Pilates. He created the method to help rehabilitate detainees in an internment camp with exercises mostly confined to bedridden movement. This led to the present mat exercises, and equipment such as bed springs were used, leading to techniques such as the Pilates Reformer.

After emigrating to the US, Joseph Pilates continued the practice by opening a fitness studio and working with many dancers from the New York City Ballet. From then on, Pilates grew and was carried on from his students, and their students and so on. Today you can find many Pilates studios, as well as classes offered at most gyms. The mat classes are the most popular, but you can also find classes using the Reformer. I've taken a Refomer class, and the amount of control you need to stabilize your muscles and movements are incredible - definitely have on my list to take more of those.

Among the many benefits of Pilates, you'll often hear about how it creates a long, lean, sleek body without creating bulky muscles. It also can help improve posture, balance, and flexibility while making you become more connected with your body by being aware of your breathing and how you carry yourself. There is also a focus on your "core" - the abdominal muscles that help support your body and are utilized in many movements.

Back to Pilates for Pink, it's a awareness initiative for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. There are giveways, products, classes, etc. I'm all signed up to go and am looking forward to it! I think it's a great way to support my health and the health of other women. For those of you in the NYC area, the event is on September 28. And if you're not in the area, there are products on the website and other ways you can support!


http://www.pilatesforpink.com/


"Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness" - Joseph Pilates


Pilates history from http://www.pilates.com/ and http://www.pilates.about.com/