All-Age Pilates Classes in Westwood at Sheppard Method Pilates

As the body ages, it requires more care and attention to maintain the daily activities you are accustomed to doing. One of the most obvious changes as we age is how our body feels. Many seniors experience diminished flexibility, mobility, strength, and balance.

Luckily, a consistent exercise program can fight back against the symptoms of aging. It is never too late to help your body feel its best, and Pilates is one of the ideal styles of exercise for seniors. Pilates is a whole-body exercise that helps to align the body, correct muscular imbalances, and help seniors move more easily.

When you notice your body is a bit stiff, and it is not as easy to touch your toes, it is time to evaluate your exercise routine and add in classes like those offered at Sheppard Method Pilates. Our Westwood Pilates classes can help you feel good, from your head to your toes.

Call the Westwood Pilates instructors at Sheppard Method Pilates to learn more about the classes we offer!

5 Benefits of Pilates for Seniors

Pilates targets the deep core muscles, helps mobilize the joints, and makes the joint-supporting muscles stronger. The movements in Pilates improve balance, one of the most important parts of keeping the body safe, especially as we age.

There are plenty of benefits to practicing Pilates as you age into your senior years and beyond. A strong Pilates practice can mean the difference between feeling stiff, sore, and uncomfortable and aging gracefully.

  • Improved balance: Balance is something we take for granted until we lose it. Balance is crucial for everything we do, from putting on our shoes to walking down the street. Loss of strength and joint mobility decreases balance and confidence in the body to keep us right-side-up. Pilates targets the muscles that help the whole-body balance, reminding us how to engage those muscles.
  • Improved posture: Misalignment and poor posture can be attributed to loss of bone density and bad habits, leading to the “shrinking” that many seniors experience. Poor posture can result in compression of the spine, joints, and organs while the muscles tighten and become increasingly imbalanced. Pilates focuses on alignment, balancing the body, improved awareness of body positions, and improved posture.
  • Improved mobility: Pilates focuses on smooth transitions and mindfully controlled movements, which are ideal for improving mobility safely. Mobility is critical in creating a balance between strength and flexibility.
  • Decreased body pain: the core muscles that are targeted in Pilates are the same muscles that prevent and help relieve back pain. A strong core supports the back, shoulders, and neck.
  • Boost immunity: Pilates helps move the blood and lymphatic fluids through the body, both of which help the body remove toxins and oxygenate the blood. Keeping the fluids moving boosts immunity and the ability to fight off infection, a critical function as we age.

Pilates Classes for Seniors in Westwood

Whether you are new to Pilates or have been practicing for a long time, the benefits of this style of exercise are undeniable. It is an ideal form of movement for all ages, especially for helping the body stay strong and mobile during the senior years. Let the Westwood Pilates instructors at Sheppard Method Pilates help you feel confident and strong, no matter your age.

Call Sheppard Method Pilates today to schedule a Pilate class in Westwood.