Dear Students I often point out Pilates for rehabilitation or alignment but there are much more fun reasons to add Pilates to your repertoire.
Researches have shown that not only Pilates exercises make sex better, but many of Pilates benefits have more than basic benefits in the bedroom.
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1-Use your pelvic floor
The most obvious reason, Pilates makes you have a better sex, and I always emphasize this point elsewhere, it uses your pelvic floor;
Nowadays everybody talks about pelvic floor, but very few (even among professionals and fitness) know what it is and how to use properly.
Pilates is actually one of the only discipline that really makes pelvic floor muscles grow and tone up, and first develop consciousness about them. We work closely the pelvic floor as part of the core foundation.
But what really are pelvic floor muscles?
Before everything let’s recap what are pelvic floor muscles: Pelvic floor muscles are the layer of muscles that support the pelvic organs and span the bottom of the pelvis. The pelvic organs are the bladder and bowel in men, and bladder, bowel and uterus in women.
Because yes we talk about both genders when it comes to « pelvic flor », men are often surprised to learn that they even have one!
Researches, and the acclaimed Dr Kegel, recognized the importance of training the pelvic floor and its role to improve sexual function and satisfaction. A healthy, toned up, strong pelvic floor, Is the key to good sex life for women and men!
WHAT TO DO? Work your shoulder bridge on the Mat. Curl up and down between each repetition.
Then bring that move to the mattress. With consistency, your performance and intensity should help everyone cross the finish line
2- Stress reduction
As being a mind-body focus technique, Pilates will help you reduces stress and calm your mind.
The effects of stress are insidious. It takes a toll on your physical, emotional and relationship health, probably more than you realize. It impacts your overall health and by it your sexual life. Stress raises the production of a hormone called cortisol, and high level of cortisol in your body actually lower your sex hormones.
Lower degree of sex hormones equal lower libido.
Pilates with its regular practice, helps you control and manage stress, and prevent cortisol level from rising too high and too often.
It also, by calming the mind rises testosterone. When it comes to sexual desire, the most influential hormone is testosterone: the hormone responsible for sexual appetite, performances and pleasure.
Pilates class gives you stress reduction comparable to “holidays”, and who never noticed that on holidays your sexual life is way much more active
3- Work on your breathing
A correct breathing is actually a pattern that very few master and that is essential in every daily life aspect.
When you have sex: you need all the oxygen-rich blood you can get coursing through your body, refreshing your cells, enhancing your endurance, and waking up all of your senses. Unfortunately, for many people their version of heavy breathing is shallow panting, not optimal for full on sex or exercises.
In Pilates we learn to lengthen and pace our breathing timing the exhales with the point of exertion. Translate this into love-making when you’re up for something more than a quickie and you and your partner can draw out a sex session that takes up a full afternoon or more.
What to do? Practice your hundreds (see picture below) then practice small pumps inhale for five, exhale for five.
4– Concentration
One of the sad facts about exercise is that most people try not to be there for it. They work their bodies but send their minds elsewhere. Pilates is one of this technique that makes you help concentrate and by it: be totally at what you do. Stay present
If you rehearse mentally checking out during physical activity, you may well fall into that pattern during sex. Distraction is an enemy to sexual satisfaction.
So working on your focus is imperative. Joseph Pilates intention was to integrate the body and mind toward an elevation of the spirit and full enjoyment of the pleasures of life.
WHAT TO DO? Begin at the beginning. Work on the first 5 moves of Pilates mat work (The hundreds, leg circles, rolling like a ball, one leg stretch, double leg stretch) with maximum concentration.
Do not let your mind wander outside your body. Note your sensations, challenges and breathing.
The next time you’re feeling frisky, bring your new found focus with you in bed and add this perk to your lover panoply.
This may be the most challenging for some but has the most impact.
5- Improve variety, better balance
Pilates moves happen on your back, on your stomach, in sitting, kneeling and standing. Many moves challenge your stability and balance. Sex play can be a bit scary for some as we often get into habits routines that involve repeating the same position. As we get older, trying new things is harder mentally and physically.
Improving your balance can help inspire everyone to test drive a new method and simultaneously keep us safe.
WHAT TO DO ? Incorporate some balance Pilates moves into your routine. Most can be done anywhere and anytime. Try teaser.
Pilates is all about balancing your body. A balance of strength, mobility and even your body chemistry.
Be aware whatever exercise you choose that adopting a Pilates sensibility to right-size your workout is the very best strategy for a happy healthy body both inside and outside of the bedroom.
Now: what are you waiting for?
Jeydancepilates® 