TONE YOUR MIND (and body too!)

Think Pilates is only a workout for your body? Think again. Louise Buttler, founder of LIVE BRAVE Pilates shares how you can strengthen your mind at the same time

- Louise Buttler

The benefits of Pilates are endless, which is why it's popular. Not only do you see physical results quickly, but it has the power to transform you mentally and emotionally. I know that if I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed, a 20-minute Pilates class fixes everything and totally resets me. It gives me energy, focus and always puts a smile on my face. Pilates is a miracle tool for the mind.

I first got into Pilates seven years ago when I went with my mum to a class as part of her rehabilitation from her mastectomy. It was then I realised how incredible it is both physically and mentally. Mum was very unwell from chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and Pilates gave her a real escape and inner serenity.

Since then, I've launched an online platform to share my passion for Pilates, and my mission is for as many people as possible to live happier and healthier lives. Lots of our users write in to tell us how they have noticed a big change in their self-confidence and inner strength since doing Pilates. Joseph Pilates, the founder of the method, said of Pilates that it offers 'complete co-ordination of body, mind and spirit'. Put simply, you must concentrate on every movement. You focus on the breath, the alignment and precision of the exercise, and your mind is unable to think about anything else. It is just like meditating but without having to sit still with your eyes closed.

RELEASING TENSION

When you learn to voluntarily engage certain muscles during a class such as with deep core activation - you fire up a movement chain that might have been asleep for a long time. Your core consists of 29 muscles, and learning to use them is a cleansing rinse for your nervous system. A healthy nervous system means better communication between your brain and other parts of your body, as well as releasing happy hormones.