Pilates equals Health<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0The <\/span>24 September is World Cancer Research Day, we want to show you how Pilates is a method that promotes health in a profound way. <\/span><\/p>\n Joseph H. Pilates created his method based on 6 principles: energy centre, concentration, control, precision, fluidity and breathing. This last pillar is a key to health as it is a physiological mechanism that helps regulate other body systems. In addition to relieving muscle tension, releasing toxins and burning fat, correct breathing improves lung performance and expands lung capacity, and consequently helps oxygenate cells and tissues.<\/span><\/p>\n With an adequate supply of oxygen to the tissues, the cells are renewed and can continue to perform their functions precisely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The human body alone is capable of regenerating up to 300 billion cells and replacing them with terminal ones. Occasionally, an episode of stress is capable of altering the levels of oxygen reaching the tissues. A lack of oxygen causes cells to weaken and die. In Pilates, the work of breathing is thoracic and intercostal, slow, regular and deep. This breathing makes use of the thoracic muscles and back<\/a> to be able to open the rib cage laterally and posteriorly, allowing the lungs to expand well without the need to use the abdomen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Joseph insisted that to gain thoracic and lung capacity, more emphasis should be placed on exhalation, followed by a clean, wide inhalation to help squeeze the oxygen out, to open up the more remote areas of the lung.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A good oxygenation brings many benefits at all levels, favouring also the circulation of other internal fluids, improving visceral functioning and other processes, such as digestion. This is why regular Pilates practice is essential not only to keep the body aligned, to improve posture and the balanced development of all the muscles, but also to achieve better internal health.<\/span><\/p>\n