The Mind & Body Benefits of Reformer
Founder of Pilates, Joseph Pilates said, “It’s the mind itself which builds the body”. His belief was that mindset plays a crucial role in shaping physical health, cementing the purpose of Pilates as “complete coordination of body, mind and spirit”, following the principles of concentration, control, centre, flow, precision and breathing.
Whilst all Pilates practice is holistic, the ability to add levels of resistance and weight in Reformer provides extra benefits of increasing strength, endurance and flexibility.
Here are some of the key mind and body benefits of Reformer.
Improved core strength
The movements in Reformer focus on deeper muscles within your core by moving other parts of your body to strengthen these muscles. Enhancing core strength contributes to better balance and stability and supports your spine, reducing the risk of back pain.
Enhanced flexibility
Reformer requires controlled movements and stretches utilising different levels of resistance, creating more flexibility in the muscles from different angles.
Balance & stability
Balance and stability are increasingly important as we age. Reformer challenges the body in different planes of motion, training the body to maintain stability in various positions. This is vital in helping prevent falls and injuries.
Injury prevention
Reformer is widely used in rehab and injury prevention, as the functional movement patterns strengthen muscles around the joints, which in turn improve flexibility and increase joint mobility – all contributing to a resilient body less prone to strains and sprains.
More energy and less stress
The combination of rhythmic movements, controlled breathing and mindful focus in Reformer, promotes relaxation and reduces cortisol levels, helping to switch off the body’s “flight-or-fight’ response and reduce stress levels. The movements also stimulate blood flow, circulating oxygen and releasing endorphins – giving a natural energy boost.
Improves mental clarity
Emphasising mindfulness and body awareness, Reformer improves focus and concentration in everyday life.
Promotes better sleep
Reformer offers a holistic approach to improving sleep quality, thanks to its focus on stress reduction, muscle relaxation, and mindful movement. The improved circulation and deep breathing create the perfect recipe for restorative sleep.
Helps train your brain
Pilates is a proven brain training technique that helps mental multitasking and memory, which is vital as we age.
Boosts the functioning of your nervous system
Reformer focuses on deep core activation, awakening certain neurological fibres of the brain and acting as a ‘cleanse’ for your nervous system, leading to better communication between the body and brain. This allows you to better release mood-boosting hormones like endorphins and serotonin.
Improves emotional control
How we breathe varies in different emotional situations. When stressed, breathing becomes rapid, tight and high in the chest. When relaxed, it becomes deeper and slower. Emotions and breathing are inherently linked – allowing us to breathe ourselves into anxiety or calmness. As one of the major principles of Pilates, breathing fully using all our lung and nasal capacity is one of the most significant health benefits. Understanding how to control breathing is essential to navigating difficult and stressful situations.