Pilates and Mental Health: What is the relationship between them?

World Brain Day is celebrated every 22nd of July, from Élite Pilates, on the occasion of this celebration, we want to underline the importance of the brain and its function as a source of energy.he mental work that Contrology promotes and, therefore, the relationship between Pilates and mental health. So, if you want to know more, read on.

What is contrology?

Contrology, more commonly known as Pilates, is an exercise method developed by Joseph Hubertus Pilates in the early 20th century. This unique system of movement and physical training focuses not only on strengthening the body, but also on total control of the mind over the body's actions and movements. The term «Contrology» comes from the idea that conscious control can be exercised over all muscle movements.

Benefits of Pilates for the brain

This training method, which emphasises the importance of mental control over the body, offers multiple advantages for the psychological and emotional well-being of those who practice it.

Improved Concentration

One of the fundamental principles of Contrology is concentration. Each exercise requires mindfulness, which helps train the mind to focus on the present moment. This mindfulness practice is comparable to meditation, which is known to reduce stress and anxiety and improve overall mental health.

Stress Reduction

The regular practice of Contrology involves deep, controlled breathing techniques, which are vital for reducing levels of the stress hormone cortisol. By reducing stress, practitioners often experience a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression, promoting an overall sense of well-being.

Enhancing the Body-Mind Connection

Contrology fosters an intense connection between body and mind, encouraging individuals to become more aware of how they move and how they feel. This level of self-awareness can lead to greater understanding and regulation of emotions, and improved mental and emotional health.

Endorphin Stimulation

Physical exercise, including Contrology, stimulates the production of endorphins, known as the happy hormones. These natural hormones are responsible for creating a sense of euphoria and pain relief, which can help combat stress and promote a feeling of happiness and contentment.

Sleep Improvement

The regular practice of Contrology contributes to the improvement of sleep quality due to its relaxing effect on the nervous system and the reduction of physical and mental stress. A good night's rest is essential for mental health, as adequate sleep helps regulate emotions and improves concentration and memory.

Enhancing Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy

By mastering new movements and improving strength and flexibility, Contrology practitioners often experience an increase in self-esteem and in the perception of their own ability to cope with challenges, both physical and mental. This enhanced sense of self-efficacy can translate into greater resilience in the face of psychological adversity.

Promoting Socialisation

Although Contrology can be practised individually, many people choose to participate in group classes, which provide an opportunity for social interaction and bonding with others. Social support is a known positive contributor to mental health.

In short, Contrology promotes mental health through a combination of exercises that improve concentration, reduce stress, increase self-esteem, and foster a deeper connection between mind and body. These benefits make Pilates an effective tool for maintaining mental and emotional well-being.

Pilates as a preventive and therapeutic method

The brain is one of the body's vital organs, controlling cognitive activities and the body's actions and reactions in response to sensory stimuli. The functionality of the left side of the brain is associated with analysis, logic, mathematics, language and sequence.  The right side is responsible for developing creativity, intuition, feelings, imagination and the arts.

It is important to be aware of its potential and its possible conditions and risks of disease, with the aim of trying to avoid the incidence of neurological disorders and to keep our brains healthy at all stages of life. Regular physical activity is a fundamental step. The Pilates method, with its comprehensive control through concentration, helps to become aware of every part of the body. This promotes not only better physical condition, but also mental control. It is not for nothing that Joseph H. Pilates called his method Contrology, which is his maxim: the control of the mind over the body.

With Pilates we achieve a great sensory capacity and a constant response to stimuli that increase neuronal connections, improving the mechanics of the brain. All the receptors of movement and position are put to work because there is no random movement. In this way, the original method uncovers a series of exceptional benefits for the mind. Its practice lowers cortisol levels, develops the ability to respond to stress and increases endorphins, which are responsible for providing a sense of psychological and emotional well-being. In this way it helps to combat depression and anxiety.

On the other hand, it is ideal for most patients with brain damage and motor sequelae because it connects attention, sensations and the search for a balanced physical work. Some effects of these disorders, such as decreased muscle strength, increased spasticity, loss of coordination and balance or postural changes caused by asymmetries, are also favoured by its practice, as it promotes a better global functional re-education. In short, Pilates increases creativity, memory, self-esteem, reduces stress and fatigue, improves mood and helps to maintain cognitive functions in old age. As a result, it improves the quality of life of the person.