Benefits of Movement Training

Movement is the body’s fuel.  It is movement that keeps our bodies going.  Because we keep moving, we are able to do so.  Our bodies have certain “ranges of motion.”  Our spine moves, and our limbs move.  Everyday, our spine and limbs need to move through these ranges in order to maintain strength and flexibility.  If we do not maintain them, we will lose them.

Movement training helps by putting the body through these ranges of movement in both strengthening and stretching exercises.  It allows us to maintain and increase our body’s ability to function.  Through movement, you can change the way you feel, move and look.

Pilates and yoga especially, use breath, concentration and body awareness to improve mental focus, efficiency of movement and muscle control.  Here are some of the benefits of various types of movement training:

Benefits of Pilates:

• Pilates creates a long and lean physical shape
• Develops strong core abdominal and back muscles
• Improves flexibility, balance, coordination, and stamina
• Increases lung capacity and circulation
• Relieves tension and stress
• Helps improve posture and spinal alignment
• Tones and firms muscles, yet low impact and gentle on joints
• Re-educates the body to find correct use of the muscles, joints and breath
• Creates renewed awareness, affecting how one performs everyday activities and sports
• May increase bone density, reversing the effects of osteoporosis

Benefits of Yoga:

• Stress Relief: reduces physical effects of stress on the body
• Pain Relief: yoga can ease pain by practicing asanas (postures) and meditation
• Better Breathing: taking slower, deeper breaths improves lung function
• Flexibility: increases flexibility, mobility and range of motion, reducing aches and pains
• Increased Strength: uses every muscle in the body, increasing strength/relieving tension
• Weight Management: even less vigorous styles can aid weight control efforts
• Improved Circulation: asanas more efficiently move oxygenated blood to the body’s cells
• Cardiovascular Conditioning: lowers heart rate, increasing endurance and oxygen intake
• Focus on the Present: helps improve concentration, coordination, reaction time, memory
• Inner Peace: helps people reach a deeper, more spiritual, satisfying place in their lives

Benefits of Body Rolling:

• Heals and Prevents injury
• Stimulates bone density and circulation
• Freedom from old restrictive patterns
• Greater body awareness
• Effective on its own or as a complement to Pilates, yoga, or any workout
• Offsets the stress of vigorous exercise
• Combines the strengthening and toning of exercise with the release of massage