Pilates offers both the mental and physical training. By improving awareness and focus, tension is released from the body and correct postural alignment is taught. One is encouraged to breathe more efficiently by breathing laterally onto the lower ribcage. The creation of a 'girdle of strength' is one the primary aims of the method and is achieved by strengthening the core postural muscles that stabilise the torso. By correcting imbalances, sound muscle recruitment patterns are encouraged and the body is realigned. Precise, controlled, flowing movement means that the muscle and ligament damage, sometimes associated with other fitness regimes is avoided. Pilates, in fact plays a key role in many injury rehabilitation programmes in dance, sport and general practice.

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