This semester I started to take Pilates classes and fell in love with it. I loved it so much I decided to take a workshop so I could teach my own pilates classes. Even after a couple classes, I noticed a change in my mind and body.
Pilates is important for stress relief, emotion control and has many other beneficial effects. Taking a pilates class during finals week is a great way to reset your mind.Â
Pilates improves your memory. Â We can all benefit from being able to memorize more information during finals. Our brains become overloaded with a plethora of information from cramming and studying. Scientific research has shown that pilates has been shown to improve memory function.Â
Pilates calms the mind and emotions. Â With all the stress and anxiety that comes with finals week, pilates can help calm your mind. It has been shown to relieve anxiety and depression, treat insomnia, instill positive habits and reduce negative emotions. It also uncovers creative thinking which can help with those big projects that are due.Â
Pilates relieves stress. As Joseph Pilates said, “a body free from nervous tension and fatigue is the ideal shelter provided by nature for housing a well balanced mind.”  Pilates can relieve the tension in your muscles, allowing your mind to also relax. A relaxed mind will be a more sucessful test taker.Â
Pilates helps you control your emotions. Our emotions and breathing are one in the same. The breathing patterns that are practiced in a pilates class evoke emotions. When you breathe, you are breating yourself into a calm state of mind. You can also take the breathing techniques you learn in class and incorporate them into life situations. If you are feeling anxious during an exam, breathing can help you immensely.Â
Pilates makes you happy. When you complete a workout, endorphins are released that make you feel good. Along with this, your mind becomes calm and the body becomes relaxed. All of these factors combined create a positive, happy person that is ready to take on finals week!Â
If you want to help your body and mind, take a pilates class. You’ll feel relaxed, stress free and ready to take on finals weeks. Good luck Huskies!Â