Pilates Positive Impact on Aging

Some of us know all too well the signs of aging. We are either experiencing them ourselves or seeing them in others. A decrease in height, and increase in weight, more fat and less lean muscle mass, rounded shoulders and upper back (kyphosis), reduced bone density (osteoperosis), loss of balance (increasing the risk of falls), and a general decrease in strength, to name a few. That’s the bad news, the good news is that there is a lot you can do to counteract this aging process. A good diet to guard against weight gain, and a program of moderate intensity exercise to help with body composition, posture, balance and strength can help immensely. Strength training on the Pilates Apparatus can increase lean muscle mass, reduce bone density loss, greatly improve posture and balance, providing a full body workout. By adding some cardio to your program, such as walking or cycling, you have all your bases covered!

Pilates addresses the “whole person”, and no one says it better than Joe did. ” Pilates (Contrology) developes the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit.” Joseph Pilates

This lovely lady is Darlene Elliott, a twice a week visitor to Pilates of Old Town. Darlene is 84 years young and has been doing Pilates for 3 years. Darlene is shown here performing the Pilates Knee Stretch, and can hold a “Plank” position like no other 84 year old I’ve seen! She is certainly a testimony of the anti-aging benefits of Pilates, don’t you think?

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Fitness at Fifty

When I took my first Pilates lesson at age 50, I thought I was going to die.    It was so difficult, but my friend and I had paid for a 7 week series, so I persevered.  By lesson 6, I noticed that my normally painful neck was not hurting, and I had more range of motion.  At the conclusion of the 7 weeks, I re-enrolled, and Pilates has been part of my life ever since.  Combining focsed breathing with controlled movements, the goal of Pilates is to increase flexibility, strength, endurance and coordination without adding bulk.  Pilates also increases circulation, aids in sculpting the body and strengthening the “core” abdominal muscles.  Most people see their posture improve quickly,  I certainly did.  Pilates forces you to stay focused, keeping your mind alert and active. Though Pilates will always be challenging, it has become a way of life for me, I look better and I certainly feel better.

Sheryl Friedner Strich, D.P.M. Podiatrist/Foot Specialist