A friend of mine and a Pilates client talked to me about this article “Going Wild” written by Charlotte Watts, in which the author talks about Good versus Bad Stress, and how people that live in the city are more stressed than those living in a rural environment. While the word “stress” is being perceived as bad, there is the concept of “positive stress” or “eustress” that increases the cognitive function and based on other studies produces a pro-inflammatory response.
The author mentions a few ways to replicate natural eustressors and Pilates and Yoga are high on her list as activities that “bring attention to our extremities and redirect the immune system back out to the skin, our first barrier of defense.”
A lot has been written about Pilates as a form of exercise since Joseph Pilates, who introduced it to dancers and performing arts community in 1923 in New York.
But how about Pilates for older adults and seniors?. ” Pilates is perfect for older adults because it does not have the impact on the body that other forms of exercise do, and it is not as severe on the joints as other workouts are” (Ellie Herman). Done correctly, it helps with a variety of aliments including arthritis, back pain and also improves concentration, control and precision in people that suffered from stroke or simply keeps our minds, balance and focus sharp as we age.