Become more flexible, toned with Pilates

Betsy Bown wears multiple instructing hats at the Cheyenne County Community Center every week. One of the classes she teaches is a class devoted to helping participants become more flexible, toned and aware of their strengths: Pilates.

“Pilates is extremely effective,” said the instructor. “Within weeks of starting you will have better posture, toned muscles, a flatter stomach, and looser and more flexible joints.

“The exercises lengthen and strengthen the muscles down to the deepest core while making sure that the body is correctly balanced and aligned.”

Joseph Pilates, the man behind the now widely-used exercise program, was born in Germany in the 1880s to “a prize-winning gymnast father and a mother who subscribed to naturopath forms of healing,” according to officials at the Pilates Technique Pilates Certification Program.

They said that he was a sickly child who suffered from several health issues, which is what prompted him to treat his health and study anatomy books and how animals moved and survived in the forest.

Where his methods of exercise and healthy habits really developed however was during his time of imprisonment during World War I. He was detained because of his German citizenship, but used that downtime to teach exercises to fellow inmates, and to develop ideas for rehabilitation machines by taking apart bunk beds and using springs.

His techniques and exercises have become the basis of worldwide exercise programs centered around spine alignment, posture and breathing.

“Joseph Pilates taught that the key to achieving change is believing that you can,” said Bown.

Bown teaches her Pilates classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the community center. Classes are free with center membership or a $5 drop in fee per class for nonmembers.

She indicated that participants must focus on breathing techniques and muscle movement to get the most effective workout.

“When doing a movement in Pilates, it is important to concentrate on your breathing and feeling how your muscle is responding. You should think of the oxygen energizing your system as you inhale,” said Bown. “The exercises should be performed in a smooth and fluid motion and as you visualize the motion, even though you’re isolating a certain muscle group, your body works as a whole.”

Bown said that it is a great body positioning, as well as core, exercise routine and that you can feel the health improvements you are making as you progress through the classes.

“Every exercise we do incorporates your core. A strong core is fundamental for aligning and balancing your body.

“You feel your spine lengthening and can visualize your muscles getting longer and stronger.”

Bown said that Pilates is one of the best exercises someone can do to balance out their body and to find out which side of their body is currently the strongest.

“When you begin exercising, you may notice it’s easier to manage the exercise on one side as opposed to the other,” said the instructor. “You may think your posture is okay, but once you start Pilates you may notice asymmetries that you weren’t aware of. For example, how many women always carry their purses on the same side?

“We all tend to develop one side of our bodies more than the other. The resulting imbalance can eventually be painful. Pilates emphasizes symmetry, balance and alignment throughout the body.”

Bown said that for class, participants will need their own mat and exercise band, both of which can be purchased at the community center.

Bown’s also teaches a Silver Sneakers class that will be overviewed in Saturday’s edition of the Sun-Telegraph.