The Life-Changing Benefits of Pilates

In the last 15 years, Pilates Anytime has been a perennial powerhouse in the digital space, finding innovative ways to offer Pilates, and the benefits of Pilates, to as many people as possible at an accessible price. It wasn't an easy start, and it took a lot to convince the Pilates community in 2009 that great Pilates could be offered online.

Now, looking back at an incredible library of offerings, and seeing the beautiful butterfly effect of this work, is truly inspiring. At the beginning of 2025, we posted a 15-year celebration video of some of the great moments in our history. Here are some of the heartwarming comments we received:

• Thank you, Pilates Anytime, for this wonderful community. It has helped me through physical hardships, and you are always there when I need to reconnect with my body.
• I am so grateful for Pilates Anytime! Thank you for all you do!! Thank you for the superior content and care you put into this platform!!
• Congratulations on 15 years!! I love all that you do to keep the Pilates community alive online.
• Pilates Anytime has been a great resource for me both as a teacher and as a participant. There is always more to learn and I cannot say enough on the positive about being part of the Pilates Anytime community.

Clearly, there is something really special about being able to offer the transformative practice of Pilates to streaming communities everywhere. The physical benefits of Pilates are sought after and tend to come quickly. The surprising part, for many, is the transformative harmonization of mind and body.

One Pilates Anytime member reported, "the ROI for me is that by learning how to move from my core, I can do everything I want to do, pain free. In essence, Pilates taught me to do everything I want to do by relearning how to do it in a mindful way." This applies to any movement modality - from basketball, to golf, to skiing, to strength training and powerlifting, to aerial arts, to pickleball.

For those curious about what makes this practice so special, this article attempts to articulate the remarkable benefits of Pilates, highlighting the core principles that make it so effective. To really know the power of Pilates, dive in with us!!

What is Pilates, Really? It's All About the Principles

Many exercises mimic Pilates movements, but without the foundational principles, you're missing the magic. These principles aren't simply guidelines; they are the very essence of Pilates, distinguishing Pilates from other workouts. Connecting to these principles anchors you in a practice both physically and mentally, which requires total focus. It also ensures that each movement begins from the core so that the limbs can move freely, while also coordinating with the rest of the body. The secret sauce is taking these principles with you to your next workout, or any other kind of movement!

• Breathing: Pilates emphasizes controlled breathing, oxygenating your muscles and providing a rhythm for your movement.
• Concentration: Pilates requires focused attention. Each movement has a purpose, and this mindfulness increases your awareness of what your body is doing, how it is feeling, where it is engaged, and what is working to continue your movement.
• Centering: The "powerhouse," your core - including the abdominals, lower back, and even glutes, in other words, all the stabilizer muscles of the trunk and the muscles that connect the limbs to the center, is the center of Pilates movement. Pilates teaches you to initiate movement from the center, creating stability and strength in your full body, allowing your limbs to move more freely. When you start to move from your center, your body's real potential is illuminated.
• Control: Pilates movements are deliberate and controlled, minimizing the risk of injury and maximizing muscle engagement. Some think this means that Pilates is always slow. Not true! Many exercises like the Series of Five are quick movements and have precise, swift transitions.
• Precision: Each exercise has a specific form and alignment. Precision ensures that you're getting the most out of each exercise, targeting the right muscles and improving muscle memory. Once you begin moving with precision, you can take this concept to other parts of your life easily and without overthinking.
• Flow: Pilates exercises are designed to flow seamlessly from one to the next. This fluidity enhances coordination and efficiency. When you find your flow in Pilates, it almost feels like a dance (you do not have to be a dancer to experience this flow).

The Body Benefits of Pilates: From Flexibility to Improved Athletic Performance

By integrating Pilates principles to your movement, Pilates opens the door to a body that feels and performs better than ever. Pilates practitioners report a wide range of benefits, including improved athletic performance, a reduced risk of injuries, accelerated recovery from existing injuries, and a profound sense of overall physical and mental well-being.

• Improved Mobility and Flexibility: Pilates stretches and strengthens muscles and improves joint range of motion. Stiff in the morning? Try a 10-minute Pilates practice!
• Better Balance and Coordination: The controlled movements and core engagement enhance balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls and improving overall agility.
• Pain Relief: Pilates can alleviate chronic pain, especially in the back, by strengthening supporting muscles, improving posture, and promoting spinal alignment. Those suffering from other chronic pain like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia report that Pilates helps relieve symptoms and improve overall body function.
• Injury Prevention and Recovery: By strengthening core muscles and improving stability, Pilates helps prevent injuries and aids in the recovery process. If you have ever been to physical therapy, you may notice that many physical therapists incorporate Pilates into their treatment plans for both rehabilitation and injury prevention.
• Increased Strength: Pilates includes both bodyweight, and depending on the equipment, resistance training, improving functional fitness and endurance for everyday activities.
• Better Posture and Alignment: Pilates focuses on proper posture and alignment, reducing strain on the spine and improving overall body mechanics.
• Enhanced Athletic Performance: Pilates enhances core strength, flexibility, and body awareness, all of which are crucial for optimal athletic performance in any sport.
• Spinal Health: Pilates promotes spinal health by strengthening the muscles that support the spine and improving spinal alignment.

Beyond the Physical: The Holistic Healing Power of Pilates

The benefits of Pilates extend far beyond the physical: it offers a holistic approach to feeling good in your body and cultivating a profound and integrated awareness of your entire being. In my experience as a teacher, most people disassociate with their body on a regular basis. It's difficult being in the body - it can house both emotional and physical pain that can be unbearable. Pilates teaches you to stay in the body to promote its healing in a healthy way.

• Increased Presence and Body Awareness: Pilates cultivates a deep awareness of your body, its movements, and its sensations. This heightened awareness translates to better posture, improved coordination, and a greater sense of self. A common question is whether Pilates is somatic movement. Yes! When Pilates is taught with the principles stated above, it has the potential to be a powerful somatic experience.
• Stress Relief and Mental Health: The focused breathing and controlled movements of Pilates have a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing stress and promoting mental well-being. When you are in a Pilates class engaging in all of the Pilates principles, it’s difficult to think of anything else. The mind can relax into the practice and be present with the body, the key to relieving stress.
• Ease, Joy, Vitality, and Longevity: Pilates promotes ease of movement, increases energy levels, and contributes to a longer, healthier, and we would argue, more joyful! life.
• Boosted Immunity: Regular exercise, including Pilates, can improve circulation and promote better sleep, which strengthens the immune system and improves overall health.
• Better Cognitive Functioning and Focus: The concentration required in Pilates can improve cognitive function, focus, and mental clarity.

Ready for Your Pilates Journey?

The principles of Pilates shape each movement, creating a comprehensive workout that improves flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination while also supporting mental clarity, emotional well-being, and overall healing.

If you're ready to enhance your athletic performance, recover from an injury, improve your posture, or simply experience more joy, Pilates offers something for everyone. The beauty of Pilates is that it helps you do what you love - better, longer, and with greater ease.

But don’t take it from us, listen to our amazing members!

Questions? Our expert teachers are here to help! Send us an email or connect to other members and our teachers in our forums.