 Stretch
that body with pilates
It
looks deceptively easy, but a good pilates workout is hell on your
body. However it does reap incredible benefits. Purplelips checks
out this wellness programme that former celeb Wong Li-lin practices.
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By Linda
Lee
 [eastciti.com,
september 26]
I
went for my first pilates (say pi-LAH-tays) class with much enthusiasm
and anxiety. I was excited because a colleague of mine told me that
it is a demanding but good workout that stretches every inch of
your muscles. At the same time, I also felt apprehensive and anxious
about not being able to grasp or cope with the techniques within
a session (I've always barely passed my sit and reach during my
NAFA tests in school, so you'll understand why - I'm stiff!). Whatever
it was, I decided to give it a shot. Unfortunately, the trial seemed
to fall short of my high expectations.
 Contrary
to my prior impression of contorted bodies and vigorous stretching,
we were guided into doing some basic sequences on the mat at first.
The Pilates Mat Work Method helps in developing body conditioning.
It consists of a set of exercises integrating control, flexibility,
strength, precision and concentration with the energy flow while
creating a body-cum-mind sense of awareness.
 Although
Joanna Ng, the instructor, only started teaching the exercise at
the end of last year, she sure came across as no rookie to the exercise.
Little did I know, she was going through the various movements and
strokes of the workout in a slow but steady and detailed manner.
After all, the ex-merchandising designer has been in the body-toning
industry for the past 8 years.
 "I
think one should think of pilates as a holistic concept. People
from any age group can practise the exercise as long as you keep
abreast of information that pertains to the workout constantly.
I've known people who still do Pilates when they are in their late
50s. I hope to practise it myself for as long as I can as I age
gradually and gracefully. Pilates is a detailed, controlled and
measured form of exercise. You move with the lightness of a piece
of a sandpaper or feather, but yet, the strength is there," said
the lean and trim lady, also the holder of 2 recognised certificates
from the American Council of Exercise and the American Exercise
Association, respectively.
 Pilates
was developed 60 years ago by German athlete-cum-physical therapy
pioneer Joseph H. Pilates. Utilising some very specialised equipment,
the stretching exercise tones muscles and help create and build
a balancing muscular force at the joints. It stimulates blood circulation
by making muscles more flexible. It also works the joints' range
of motion and aids in the proper skeletal alignment, strengthening
and lengthening of the torso muscles and the spine.
 The
exercise has been used for everything from slipped discs to recovering
from pregnancy to anger management. Apparently, Pilates teaches
you to keep your anger in control because you learn to breathe and
calm yourself. According to Joanna, it can also help create a sense
of humor and a more positive or optimistic outlook. It 'enlightens'
you as it helps you to think about things in different perspectives.
 "I
used to be quite boring and I think my classes were dull. Now, I
think I'm a little crazier and I can laugh things off more easily.
I now view every day as a happy day. Pilates has mellowed me and
made me more patient," said the shorthaired instructor with a laugh.
Although
the 1-hour session fell short of my expectations (instead of feeling
the stretch and expecting to be exhausted from all that toning and
body conditioning, I did not really feel as rejuvenated and refreshed
as I thought I should have), I felt that there were some reasons
for that.
 Perhaps
I did not fully appreciate the effects of the session. Or, maybe,
my mood and disposition just did not fit into that kind of exercise
at that time (I did not put my heart into it as I rushed there after
an assignment and was slightly late).
 "My
advice to those who want to learn pilates is this: Don't try the
sport on your own because you may injure yourself without the proper
guidance of a instructor since you are unfamiliar and unaware of
your body (unless you have some background knowledge of anatomy).
It is safer to try out pilates in a group. If you experience pain
while stretching, stop immediately because you could have probably
adopted the wrong posture. For me, I make sure that I use the correct,
precise and specific technical terms when I instruct my students
so that if they ever need to make any reference about Pilates from
various books or magazines for example, they would know exactly
how to look it up."
Call
9767-9244 for more information.
Pilates classes are also available
at major gyms.
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