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When Will You Feel the Benefits of Pilates?

Joseph Pilates said you had to do Pilates 4x or more a week, which is why having a home Mat Pilates practice is great. But, when will you feel the benefits of Pilates?

  • Author: Lesley Logan
  • September 3, 2019
Table of Contents

When Will You Feel the Benefits of Pilates?

There is a famous quote that you’ll see when you research Pilates. “In 10 sessions you’ll feel different, in 20 you will look different and in 30 sessions you will have a whole new body.” Joseph Pilates said this in his book “Return to Life” and also in his marketing. He also said you had to do it 4x or more a week, which is why having a home Mat Pilates practice is great. But, when will you feel the benefits of Pilates?

I’ll never forget the first time I did a Pilates class. During class my body was feeling all sorts of knew muscles. I knew then that this was going to be a class I fit into my schedule as much as I could. I didn’t yet know the benefits but I knew that my body craved what it was feeling. After a month of Pilates, I noticed I was already standing taller. And, while my scale wasn’t showing a huge difference my pants sure were!

After 6 months of Pilates 3-5x a week, I was getting compliments on my posture. THIS NEVER HAPPENED! I was able to do a push up from flat on the floor. Yeah, me, the girl who got a B+ in PE class because I couldn’t do 10 push ups. I could press straight up from the floor.

A year after doing Pilates I had to change out my clothes. Not just because they didn’t fit. My body wasn’t the same. My muscle tone and shape made it so that clothes didn’t fit the same. Sure, I had lost a few pounds. And, honestly, I wasn’t doing Pilates to lose weight. You can, you just have to do it 3-5x a week and make healthy choices. My scale didn’t show the truth though. Joseph Pilates was right. Pilates will give you a whole new body!

The truth is, the benefits of Pilates are endless. The asymmetries in your body and other imbalances will change over time. Pilates isn’t something you do and then hit your goals and quit. In fact, sometimes I think Pilates is like life. It continues to move the goal post. Since there is no such thing as “Perfect Pilates” the moment you “get” an exercise you will be working towards the next level.

Yes, you can lose weight, change your shape, fix your posture, get stronger and have more energy. But, you will also discover a new since of connection to yourself. This is a benefit that is often overlooked and you can feel in the first session.

Go ahead, do Pilates feeling stressed out, tired or sad, you will leave feeling better than you walked in.

In Pilates, there are the marketable benefits for sure. But then there are the ones that you will yearn for. Ones that once you realize Pilates is why you have them you’ll be hitting your mat more often.

Pilates is a movement meditation, teaches you how to connect to yourself from the inside out. Helps you discover all your body’s capabilities. Challenges you to do more, try something different and believe you can do it. And you will feel the benefits the moment you start.

What benefits of Pilates are you seeking?

Want to get feeling all the benefits of Pilates? Start your Pilates practice today. Even as a newbie, with 15 min you will feel a new sense of who you are and what you’re capable of.

xx~LL

By Lesley Logan

Lesley Logan, NCPT, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise tutorial videos, where you can also find weekly online mat classes and workshops. When not teaching from her studio in Los Angeles, Lesley can be found traveling the world leading Pilates retreats, or offering Pilates business coaching to studio owners and other instructors through her private mastermind group. Connect with Lesley on instagram @lesley.logan or through the contact page on this site.

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SUCH A TEASE

ONLINE MAT & REFORMER PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Teaser is probably one of the most photographed exercises in Pilates. Which makes people think it's a "peak pose." But, it's anything but! It's simply another layer to your Pilates practice. This week we will acknowledge how each exercise contributes to your ability to do Teaser (someday) and then how Teaser teaches you where to get curious in your practice.

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MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights and a Mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

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ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

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This month’s Reformer workout will have us exploring Tops ‘N Tails by working from the ends of The Order. We’ll alternate exercises from the beginning and from the end of our usual routine for a challenging time! You’ll need your reformer box and pole.

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See you in class,

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MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a ball and a resistance band, or just a magic circle and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a ball and a resistance band, or just a magic circle and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

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Have a squishy ball or stuffed toy nearby for our Leg Pull moments on the Mat. Reformer no props needed.

See ya in class,

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MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a squishy ball or stuffed toy and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Alright loves, you may not like going overhead and you may not be able to…yet..

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On the Mat, if you do struggle with balance go to a wall during the standing work or have a chair nearby. No extra props needed for the Reformer.

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MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

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MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

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See ya in class,

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MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, have light weights nearby and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

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ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Tops ‘N Tails (or Tops & Tails) is a wonderful expression I grew up with! It means being ready-to-go…from top to bottom, front to back, end to end! Isn’t that exactly what Pilates does for our minds and bodies? It encourages us to ready for any adventure that comes our way because our workouts use variety to engage the whole body, and to focus our minds.

This month’s Reformer workout will have us exploring Tops ‘N Tails by working from the ends of The Order. We’ll alternate exercises from the beginning and from the end of our usual routine for a challenging time! You’ll need your reformer box and pole.

On the Wunda Chair and Mat we'll be focusing on working from the top half or the tail half of our bodies! While every exercise requires the whole body. Setting ourselves up for success from the Top to the Tail makes the most difference!

On the Cadillac/Tower we will work on how the top half of the body helps to support the bottom half and vice versa! Pilates allows us to use the whole body to help with strength from Top to Tail! Let's explore how the springs on the Cadillac/Tower make us connect to the whole body in each exercise.

See ya in class,

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