Pilates

            Colleges and universities around the country are universally fighting against a common enemy hidden amongst freshman. It is known as the freshman fifteen. The average college freshman gains fifteen pounds in his or her first year of college. The way to combat the freshman fifteen is to develop good eating habits, to keep stress levels at a minimum, and to follow an exercise regimen. One type of exercise, called Pilates, would be the perfect program for a college student to incorporate into his or her exercise regimen. .
             Pilates is a system of body conditioning designed to strengthen and lengthen the body's muscles with emphasis on reducing incidence of back pain and injury. Pilates is an ideal anti-aging exercise because it tones and strengthens the muscles without the impact on joints and also reduces levels of stress in the body. The exercises are gentle on the joints yet challenging on the muscles and are suitable for anyone who wants to improve muscle strength and flexibility, improve coordination and balance, tone muscles, and improve posture. The Pilates system works the body as a whole by coordinating the upper and lower musculature with the body's center. Pilates teaches breathing with movement, body mechanics, balance, positioning of the body, and spatial awareness.
             Many forms of exercise tighten certain muscles while overstretching others creating an unbalance in the body as opposed to Pilates, which is a method that aims to create a balance in the body. Pilates helps create this balance in the body by engaging every muscle, both large and small, when performing each exercise. The Pilates exercises are designed to give muscles a longer, leaner look. Benefits from practicing Pilates include an increase in flexibility, mobility, balance, and body awareness. .
             Pilates and yoga share similar goals. Both systems believe in individual progress in a non-competitive arena, and give emphasis to stretching as well as strengthening muscles.