Pilates for Children: The Importance of Building a Strong Body and Mind

Sneha Shankar Health & Fitness 25 March 2023

Pilates is a form of exercise that has gained popularity for its emphasis on control, precision, and fluidity of movement. While it is often associated with adults and fitness enthusiasts, Pilates can also be a valuable tool for children to develop their physical and mental wellbeing. By incorporating Pilates into their routine, children can improve their strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance, as well as enhance their mental focus, concentration, and relaxation. In this article, we will explore the benefits of Pilates for children, why it should be included in the sports curriculum, and how it can help children handle the challenges of physical transformation. Whether your child is an athlete, a dancer, or simply wants to stay active and healthy, Pilates can be a fun and rewarding way to support their growth and development.

Why Pilates is Beneficial for Children:

Pilates is a great form of exercise for children because it helps to build a strong and healthy body. Pilates exercises focus on the core muscles, which are the muscles that support the spine and the pelvis. Having a strong core is important for children because it helps them to maintain good posture and balance, which can prevent injuries. Here are some straight benefits of pilates:

Pilates also helps to improve flexibility and coordination.
Children often spend a lot of time sitting in school and playing video games, which can lead to tight muscles and poor coordination. Pilates exercises can help to counteract this by stretching and strengthening the muscles.
In addition to the physical benefits, Pilates can also help children to improve their mental wellbeing.
Pilates exercises require concentration and focus, which can help children to develop their cognitive skills.
Pilates can also be a great stress reliever, as the breathing techniques used in Pilates can help to calm the mind and reduce anxiety.
Pilates opens up energy channels throughout the body making it easier to focus.

Why Pilates Should be Included in the Sports Curriculum:

Pilates is a unique form of exercise that has many benefits for athletes and non-athletes alike.

Here are some reasons why Pilates should be included in the sports curriculum:

Improves core strength and stability: A strong and stable core is essential for athletes to perform at their best and prevent injuries. Pilates exercises focus on building core strength and stability by targeting the muscles of the abdomen, back, and pelvis.

Enhances flexibility and range of motion: Pilates movements emphasise elongation and flexibility, which can help athletes improve their range of motion and reduce the risk of muscle strains and sprains.

Builds body awareness and control: Pilates exercises promote body awareness and control, helping athletes improve their posture, alignment, and movement efficiency.

Reduces risk of injuries: By improving core strength, flexibility, and body control, Pilates can reduce the risk of injuries for athletes in a variety of sports, including running, soccer, basketball, and gymnastics.

Complements other training methods: Pilates can be used as a complementary training method for athletes, helping them develop strength, flexibility, and balance in ways that complement their sport-specific training.

Improves mental focus and concentration: Pilates movements require mental focus and concentration, which can be beneficial for athletes who need to stay focused during competitions and performances.

3 surprising benefits of Pilates for children:

While Pilates is known for its benefits for core strength, flexibility, and mental focus, there are also some lesser-known advantages of Pilates for children. In this section, we will explore three surprising benefits of Pilates that can help children prevent injuries, transform physically, and adapt to different ages and abilities. Whether your child is a beginner or an experienced athlete, these benefits of Pilates can enhance their physical health and overall wellbeing.

Helps in injury prevention and rehabilitation for children:

Pilates is a form of exercise that can be used as a form of injury prevention and rehabilitation for children. The focus on core strength and stability in Pilates can help children develop the muscles needed to support proper posture and alignment, reducing the risk of injury. Additionally, the controlled, low-impact movements of Pilates can be beneficial for children recovering from injuries, helping to build strength and flexibility without putting unnecessary stress on the body. Pilates can also improve balance and coordination, which can help children excel in sports and other physical activities. Overall, incorporating Pilates into a child's exercise routine can not only prevent injuries but also aid in injury recovery while promoting overall physical health and wellness.

Handling Physical Transformation:

Pilates can also be beneficial for children who are going through a physical transformation, such as puberty. During this time, children may experience changes in their body shape and size, which can be difficult to adjust to. Pilates can help children feel more comfortable in their bodies by building strength and improving posture and balance.

Suits the needs and abilities of children of different ages:

Pilates can be adapted to suit the needs and abilities of children of different ages by making adjustments to the exercises and equipment used. For younger children, simpler exercises using small props such as balls and bands can be used to help them develop their motor skills and coordination. For older children, more advanced exercises can be introduced to challenge them and help them build strength and flexibility. Additionally, modifications can be made for children with special needs to ensure they are able to participate in the class and benefit from the practice. Overall, it's important to have a trained and experienced instructor who can adapt the Pilates program to suit the unique needs of each child in the class.

Here are 10 tips for incorporating Pilates into children's routines:

Set aside a designated time: Establish a consistent time in your child's routine for Pilates, such as after school or before bedtime.
Make it a game: Incorporate Pilates movements into games to make it more fun and engaging for children.
Use props: Incorporate Pilates props such as small balls, resistance bands, or foam rollers to make the exercises more interesting and challenging.
Make it a family activity: Involve the whole family in Pilates sessions to make it a bonding experience and a fun way to exercise together.
Incorporate Pilates into other activities: Add Pilates movements to other activities your child enjoys, such as dance or sports.
Use Pilates videos: Use age-appropriate Pilates videos designed for children to guide them through exercises.
Take a Pilates class: Enroll your child in a Pilates class designed for children at a local studio or gym.
Set achievable goals: Help your child set achievable goals for their Pilates practice, such as holding a plank for a certain amount of time.
Use music: Play music during Pilates sessions to make it more fun and energizing for children.
Reward progress: Celebrate your child's progress and successes in their Pilates practice to motivate them to continue.

Conclusion:

Pilates is a valuable form of exercise for children that can provide numerous benefits for their physical and mental wellbeing. By incorporating Pilates into their routine, children can improve their core strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, and body awareness, as well as enhance their mental focus, concentration, and relaxation. Pilates can also help children prevent injuries, rehabilitate from injuries, and adapt to the physical changes that come with different ages and abilities. Moreover, Pilates is a low-impact and adaptable form of exercise that can be fun and engaging for children of all ages and fitness levels. By promoting the principles of control, precision, and fluidity, Pilates can support children's growth and development in a holistic and sustainable way. We hope that this article has shed light on the benefits of Pilates for children and inspired you to explore this form of exercise for your child's wellbeing.