If you have low energy, are recovering from illness, or simply feel a bit under the weather, it can be difficult to bring yourself to the mat for a Pilates workout. And nothing can be more frustrating than a long interruption to your Pilates routine. The good news is that, in addition to rest, gentle movement with Pilates stretching can rejuvenate the body, encourage full recovery, and even boost energy. While you may not be able to jump into a full Pilates workout on those days you’re not feeling well, a slow-paced, gentle Pilates practice may be exactly what you need.
Contact the Westwood Pilates instructors at Sheppard Method Pilates to discuss how we can help you get started. Schedule your first class now!
How Pilates Can Help When You’re Not 100%
Because Pilates is a restorative practice, its movements are designed to align the body and mind, resting and restoring the nervous system. Pilates is proven to improve immunity through this physiological process, utilizing movement and deep breathing to reduce cortisol and boost healthy cells to fight illness. Pilates also stimulates lymphatic flow, helping to detoxify the body and fight infection and disease.
Even if you are not sick, reducing stress hormones and checking in with your body and breath can be a rejuvenating, self-care experience to get you back on track to feeling yourself. Most Pilates movements offer variations and modifications to ensure a slow-paced, gentle practice that focuses on restorative stretching and breathwork.
Pilates Movements When You Have a Cold
A lingering cold can seem to last forever. Luckily, there are some proven Pilates tools to help. Because of the focus on breathing, a gentle Pilates for recovery practice can allow deep, correct breath that helps to clear mucus, stretch and heal the lungs, and even clear blocked sinuses. Additionally, Pilates exercises that position the head slightly inverted, such as the glute bridge, chin tucks, and neck rolls can also help to clear sinuses. Just remember to bring that deep, intentional breath.
Gentle Pilates for Achiness and Recovery
If you are recovering from illness or have been immobile for some time, chances are your muscles may feel tight or achy. Muscle pain and soreness can also be caused by previous workouts or lack of good sleep. Luckily, Pilates is one of the best ways to alleviate pain, soreness, and achiness. Try a slow sequence of deep, gentle Pilates stretches such as:
- Single leg stretch
- Supine spinal twist
- Pelvic curl
- Roll down / Roll ups
- Sitting forward fold
- Cat-Cow pose
- One leg circles
- Back extension
- Pilates Saw
- Mermaid side stretch
Restorative Pilates to Boost Energy and Wake Up Your Muscles
We all have those days where we wake up feeling bleh. A gentle Pilates practice can be perfect for the morning to wake up your muscles or to get out of an afternoon slump. This is because Pilates is physiologically rejuvenating. Deep breathwork helps relax the body by releasing endorphins, while intentional movements send oxygen to your blood and increase circulation to get blood flowing and literally wake up the body. You only need a short practice—5 or 10 minutes if that’s all you can muster—to generate natural energy needed to get your body moving. Who needs another cup of coffee?
Sheppard Method Pilates: Your Westwood Pilates Studio
Gentle Pilates is proven to boost energy, improve immunity, and encourage recovery. At Sheppard Method Pilates, we have a variety of Pilates classes to suit your needs and keep you moving for your best health, even during a slump. If you are looking for gentle Pilates for when you’re not feeling well to restore and recover, our instructors can help guide you.
Call the Westwood Pilates instructors at Sheppard Method Pilates to discuss how we can help you include Pilates in your exercise regimen and boost your overall health!
