The Fitness Pilates Blog

Why introduce meditation into your pilates practice?

What are the benefits of meditation?

A regular meditation practice can help lower blood pressure, improve mood, and relieve stress.

Taking time to meditate also offers us a chance to look inward and reflect feeling present in an ever busy world.

We can always make more time for self-care. Even if you meditate for just five minutes a day, you will begin to feel its benefits.

How can meditation benefit my Pilates practice?

Both Pilates and meditation are practices that require control, focus, and attention to breath focussing on mind body connection.

In Pilates, your breath coincides with movement. Similarly with meditation, you learn how to be still and in control your breath. Meditation also improves body awareness, which can influence how you move in your Pilates practice. The discipline required in meditation can be applied when pushing through a tough Pilates class.

How can I begin my meditation practice?

If you are new to meditation, following the below steps will guide you toward a successful practice:

Begin by sitting in a comfortable position, either in a chair or on the floor. For more support, try sitting on a Mat, cushion, or blanket. Make sure that your spine is upright and relatively straight.
Close your eyes and begin to bring your attention to your breath. Deepening your inhale and exhale, allow your muscles to soften and mind to relax.
Easing into a calm state, reflect upon your intention for meditating. Common goals of meditation are to relieve stress, take time for self-care, and find mental clarity. Since meditation grants an opportunity to check in, your intention can be as personal as you see fit.
A great way to notice how your body is feeling is to conduct a body scan. Beginning from the top of your head and ending at your toes, assess each part of your body to reveal where you are holding tension. Still in control of your breath, you will begin to feel settled and relaxed.
If your mind is racing or you find yourself distracted, gently guide yourself back to your breath and remember your intention. Count your breath and notice the rise and fall of your belly with each inhale and exhale.

Your first meditation session does not need to be long. We suggest beginning with five minutes of meditation a day and then building up to longer sessions. With gentle practice, you can easily integrate meditation into your daily routine to supplement your Pilates goals. As a pilates instructor adding just a 5 minute meditation at the end of class can leave your clients feeling relaxed and refreshed!

ChoreographyToGo Training and Education

⭐️Level 2 Group Fitness Qualification

⭐️Level 3 Qualifications Online

⭐️CPD

⭐️Instructor Training and business development

⭐️ALL Delivered Online