Blog
The body and the brain
When you work out, how often are you really aware of what you’re really doing?
Are your headphones on while you’re running around burning carbs? Are you concentrating on the road in front of you… or are you just… running? The truth is – few things in the everyday make us consciously think about what we’re doing.
The connection between our mind and body is fascinating. If we can change the way we think, then we can alter the way our body behaves. Pay attention to what the body is doing, and there’s an opportunity to improve technique. If you’ve watched any of the Olympics, then you’ve seen massive amounts of concentration in the eyes of just about every single athlete. One thing we know for sure – they’re thinking about every movement their body is making.
Pilates makes you think. Getting acquainted with our body, staying conscious of the movement, concentrating on holding the core stable – that gives us the full benefit of the exercise.
When that exercise gets tough, we might tend to hold our breath – which increases muscle tension. Which is why it’s important to remember (think) to breath during exercise – and this helps the body move correctly. We often talk about body awareness for building strength – but, let’s stay focused on the power of the mind.
Let’s be bold here: Pilates and mindful movements can positively change our lives every day.
How? Because when we bring positive stress upon our bodies, like in our favorite workout, the brain releases endorphins that positively change our mood. When our mood is elevated, we can think more creativity, which also allows for a more positive workout. Even on the flip side, positive emotions and feeling good can help our bodies de-stress.
Herein lies the power in the body-brain connection. The body is beautiful. The brain is powerful. Find a class at The Lift Pilates and let’s talk about becoming even more powerfully beautiful.