Like a lot of us, I discovered Pilates exercises during the pandemic. Before that, I’d dipped in and out of the practice, usually on the advice of a physio when recovering from an injury or as a way to build up my core strength. But when lockdown hit and workout options were limited, Pilates became a regular part of my routine, and it’s stayed that way ever since.
The benefits have been hard to ignore. My posture has improved, my core has become noticeably stronger, and I’ve seen real improvements in other areas of my training too, especially in my running technique and ability to bounce back from stumbles or sharp changes in pace. Perhaps more surprisingly, though, I’ve noticed shifts mentally too. I’m the kind of person whose mind often drifts throughout class, to my to-do list, my next meeting or what I’m cooking for dinner. Yet, when I manage to stay tuned into my breath and body awareness, I feel significantly more grounded and present, and that sense of focus tends to carry through into the rest of my day.
