Pilates and the Alexander technique are forms of restive or anaerobic exercise. This means that rather than increase cardiovascular activity, they focus on strengthening and toning muscles and increasing core body power. Either technique can be used to improve posture and ease the discomfort of aching joints and strained muscles, but each has different techniques and approaches.
Pilates
German-born Pilates creator Joseph Pilates devised his fitness program in the 1920s, drawing on his experience with yoga, Zen meditation and aerobic exercise. Inspired by his work in a hospital during WWI, he developed a resistance exercise machine based on the springs on a hospital bed. These days, Pilates styles have grown and the exercises may be practiced free-style on a floor mat, or with a number of accessories such as Pilates balls, chairs and reformers.
Pilates Advantages and Disadvantages
Pilates has a number of benefits including improving muscle tone, increasing flexibility, and improving posture and overall motility. It can also help you pay more attention to your breathing and reduce stress levels. Another advantage of Pilates is that you can practice it in the comfort of your own home right from day one. There are a range of videos and online guides to help you, if you don't wish to attend classes. There is also a wide range of accessories that you can buy to use at home. The main disadvantage of Pilates is that this form of exercise alone will not help you reduce your weight. To lose weight and maintain a healthy weight, you will also need to do aerobic workouts three to four times each week.
The Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique was developed by stage performer Frederick Matthias Alexander in the 1890s. After developing a vocal problem and being unable to recite, Alexander developed a program to change habitual responses in order to break habits and relieve stress. It requires no accessories, just lessons from a qualified instructor and regular practice. Unlike Pilates, this technique does not involve stretching or muscle toning, instead it focuses on applying the most efficient modes of walking, sitting, standing and other movements in order to rebalance the body and correct the posture. This is taught by making the student become more aware of how the body moves and how it feels when it is aligned correctly.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Alexander Technique
The main advantages of this technique are improvement of posture and movement, relief of stress and tension that can lead to physical illness or emotional distress, relief from pain and improvement of motor functions. The technique is based on the theory of "sensory kinesis," which presupposes that misaligned posture causes muscles to be overworked and can lead to joint pain. During lessons, an instructor watches your posture as you move around the room and by applying gentle pressure to certain areas of your body, will help you correctly realign your spine and improve the fluidity of your movement. One of the disadvantages of the Alexander technique is that although self-study resources are available for this technique, you will need, at least initially, some lessons from a qualified instructor who will assess your personal requirements and will teach you the techniques accordingly.
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