Can Pilates Boost Self-Esteem? | Leah Stewart

We all struggle with self-esteem. It?s human nature, some may even say it?s human habit, to feel doubt, fear or a lack of confidence at certain times in our lives, or in certain areas of our lives. Our confidence in our own worth and abilities undulates as we walk through life accomplishing our goals, making our mistakes and most importantly, as we experience relationships with those in our lives that play a significant role in shaping who we are. When we feel loved, accomplished, accepted, appreciated and creative there is often an accompanying upsurge in our self-esteem. Is it safe to suggest that self-esteem is directly related to our physical tasks? In many cases, yes, it absolutely is! But what is more important is that self-esteem is related to what types of physical and mental tasks we involve ourselves in, and how those tasks make us feel (Enter: Pilates).

We have all felt it; the lightness and tingle of vibrating muscles, the sensation that you?re walking on air and the deep flutter within your core that follows a good Pilates session. It is not just the feeling that you have worked or challenged certain muscles; no, it?s the feeling of accomplishment behind the fact that you have taken the time for yourself to focus, breath and achieve. From this, Pilates is capable of providing a temporary and even potentially permanent lift in self-esteem. Is it too bold to say that through practicing Pilates our sense of worth and confidence in our own abilities can be improved? In any case, it is certainly an interesting question and one that makes us look at why we practice Pilates from a different angle. What is it then about Pilates that aids in boosting our self-esteem?

The Pilates exercises were designed to be a tool that helps lead us down the path of deeper self-awareness and ultimately to better health. In his book, Return to Life, Joseph Pilates states that by performing his exercises, ?you will find your body development, approaching the ideal, accompanied by renewed mental vigor and spiritual enhancement. Contrology is designed to give you suppleness, natural grace and skill that will be unmistakably reflected in the way you walk, in the way you play and in the way you work.? Sounds wonderful, doesn?t it? Pilates is about practicing exercises that give you such a renewed sense of mental and spiritual well-being that an undeniable rise in self-esteem is reflected in everything that you do.

There is a specific correlation between exercise and self-esteem. The correlation is rooted deep within the Pilates ideals of body awareness and control, which assist in understanding body sensations and signals as well as mental triggers and stimulates on a much deeper level. Research shows that exercise, both aerobic and anaerobic, positively affect levels of self-esteem through the rise in feel-good endorphins and the decrease in the stress-related cortisol hormone. Although there is not any research specially done on Pilates and self-esteem, many studies have been conducted on the positive effects other moderate exercise practices, that are comparable to Pilates, have on self-esteem. Although this research does not give us a black-and-white answer, it does give us a glimpse into the reasoning behind how and why the physical energy we expend while doing Pilates exercises transcends into our minds and souls, striking a cord in the depths of our being.

Self-esteem is derived from a beautiful union of the psyche and the body. For those of us that practice Pilates, we feel the benefits of that union when we experience the sensation of invigorating confidence that greets us upon completion of a great Pilates session. Somewhere between the Pelvic Curl and the Swan Dive we may be able to find and hold on to improved self-esteem ? giving us a true understanding of the dynamic effects Pilates can have on our lives.

Now, I would love to hear from you. What are some simple ways in which you boost your self-esteem? Please share in the comment box below.

In living life,

Leah

Source: http://www.pilatesfornewmothers.com/2013/01/can-pilates-boost-self-esteem/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=can-pilates-boost-self-esteem

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