Is Pilates Suitable for Children – what are the benefits?

Pilates is a form of exercise that people of all ages can benefit from and is an easy form of exercise for children to learn. The classes are usually mat based occasionally using the stability balls and Reformer.

The sessions will include a range of stretches and exercises from the original repertoire encouraging children to move well, gain body awareness and improve self-esteem.

Pilates promotes a healthy physical and mental state helping to improve core strength and flexibility. There are a range of benefits for children who attend Pilates classes, including aiding in cardiovascular and general fitness. This is even more prominent in children as their bodies are still developing.

Benefits of Pilates for Children

Flexibility: The exercises practised in Pilates help to maintain flexibility in children's muscles and tendons. This is useful if they wish to participate in other sports such as ballet and gymnastics, and is also great for their overall fitness.

Strength: Pilates helps to improve the circulation of blood, strengthening the core muscles of the body - helping children to conserve their energy, as well as keeping them lean and improving their athletic performance.

Concentration: School can be mentally demanding, and is often a lot for children to absorb. The focus required in Pilates will transfer to the classroom and you may start to see improvements in their academic performance.

Posture: With many children spending hours staring at a screen each day, they are beginning to slouch. This can lead to a muscular imbalance which may contribute to aches, pains and back problems as they enter adulthood, but Pilates can help to correct this, alleviating the pain and preventing injuries. Children that participate in Pilates classes have better spinal alignment and posture.

Awareness: Children can gain more awareness of their bodies through Pilates, learning how to move efficiently and gracefully. This is an important time as they begin to formulate physical attributes that they will take through life, for example; they way they walk, bend over, lift heavy objects etc. Pilates can help to establish correct principles of movement that children will continue throughout their adult lives.

Breath: Pilates incorporates focused breathing techniques which is essential to each exercise. These techniques can help children manage stress and improve their sleep.

Give your children the best start in life and book them into a Pilates class at PATS PILATES.

Classes run term-time only every Tuesday at 4pm.