Mind-Body Connection: The Stress Antagonist
Tuesday, August 5th, 2008In traditional gym environments you will typically overhear trainers tell their clients to focus on the muscles they are using. During a bicep curl, when you focus on using the bicep muscle only, more muscle fibers are called into action within that muscle.
The same principle can be applied during Pilates when developing the mind-body connection. However with Pilates instead of just strengthening one small muscle in your body at a time, you are lengthening and strengthening the entire body simultaneously. The focus shifts from, “work harder”, “do more reps” to “work smarter” and “take deep breaths.”
When explaining this phenomenon, Joseph Pilates said, “One of the major results of…(mind-body exercise), is the mastery of your mind over the complete control of your body.” The purpose of exercise needs to be acknowledged before the results will appear. By gaining control over all of your muscles at once, an entirely new level of balance, flexibility, and core strength is developed. Focus and centering oneself, will create the proper alignment, form, as well as safe and effective body positioning needed to tap into the core’s powerhouse.
Stress, however, is one of the main antagonists for those wishing to develop their own mind-body connection. Our thoughts run wild through the weeds of daily responsibility. Going to work, picking up the kids, making the meals, paying the bills on time, and any and all types of unforeseen change can wear down sensitivity to our body’s needs.
Stress management is oftentimes curbed by medication, but in a culture that tends to rely on outside influences to change internal issues, a holistic approach to stress management is another alternative.
Pilates offers a unique platform for quieting the inner rooms of busyness, and cleaning out the clutter of distraction. As Americans, we pride ourselves on being able to handle it all, work long hours, and slave away at the gym, all while trying to maintain a family unit.
We pump our fists in the air while guzzling down our triple latte’s and call it “doing it all”. But we are really running ourselves ragged, fueled on by caffeine and adrenaline. Stress develops within the body, when the mind begins to feel the wear and tear of overactive living.
Very rarely do we listen to our own breathing long enough to realize the importance of oxygen integration in the blood. With Pilates, the deep breathing patterns enable more oxygen to be released into the blood, and the ability to think clearer, do more, and feel more energized is increased.
Quieting the restlessness in our lives for just one hour can have exceptional, long-term benefits. In addition to low impact cardio, such as swimming, bicycling, and walking, Pilates can create that outlet for stress management. Our bodies crave to be active.
They desire to be one with our thoughts. If you can visualize where you want to be, your body will follow suit. Not only will you develop a long, lean healthy physique, but also you will develop a peace of mind that will surpass stress and improve your quality of life.