Struggling to keep moving during the coronavirus lockdown? Being confined in your own home can make it difficult to achieve your daily movement goals. Not only have we lost access to fitness facilities but we’ll also likely reduce the amount of incidental exercise from our everyday lives too! Here at Keep Fit Kingdom we wanted to let you know why we think Pilates presents the perfect solution to help you keep fit during quarantine. Read on for Quarantine Pilates: 5 Keys to Fitness During the Lockdown!
Did you know that the creator of Pilates, Joseph Pilates, was actually a sick child himself, suffering from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever?
In the 1920’s he interned with fellow Germans in a prison camp in England during World War I. While he was at the camp he continued to refine his exercise regime, eventually teaching his fellow prisoners and guards. His exercises became a mandatory activity for everyone at camp. After the war, Spanish influenza broke out, but not a single prisoner or guard from the prison camp died during the pandemic!
1. What is Pilates?
Mat pilates is a holistic movement system based on 34 specific exercises that focus on centering, concentration, control, precision, flow, and breathing. The technique is specific and controlled which is what makes it so effective in targeting your deep postural muscles.
2. Who can do it?
Absolutely anyone! Pilates is low impact and the exercises are progressive so are completely accessible and safe for all body types, abilities, ages, and injuries. This is what makes it an especially great option for the elderly or vulnerable who are wanting to improve wellness while in quarantine. Do not be fooled though – there are more intense levels of it as well that would challenge even the most advanced athlete!
3. Why should I do it?
During the lockdown our health must be given top priority, and Pilates has many great benefits for your entire well-being. Mentally, it can aid in improving your sleep quality, reduce stress levels, improve memory, create mindfulness in your movement, and may assist in the management of depression and anxiety.
Physically, Pilates mobilizes your joints, improves your core strength and general muscle tone, and this results in better posture, balance, flexibility and reduces the risk of injury.
4. Where can I do it?
If you are like me and quarantined in a small London apartment, Pilates is a great solution as you do not need a lot of space, or any equipment. You can use a mat, however if you don’t have a towel or a patch of carpet. You could even do this on your bed!
5. How can I do Pilates?
It is important to follow the guidance of a qualified teacher. You can access videos for free on YouTube, however, during quarantine there are many instructors currently using zoom to provide online classes for a small fee.
