Discover the Benefits of Pilates & Pelvic Floor Pilates at Physical Edge
- Nancy Botting
- Apr 11
- 4 min read
At Physical Edge, we’re excited to offer Pilates and Pelvic Floor Pilates (Pfilates), two complementary practices that promote strength, stability, and overall well-being. Whether you’re looking to improve your core strength, reduce the risk of injury, or address specific pelvic health concerns, both Pilates and Pfilates are great additions to your fitness and wellness routine.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a method of exercise designed to develop a strong core by focusing on the deep abdominal muscles closest to the spine. By integrating the trunk, pelvis, and shoulder girdle, Pilates enhances the stability and strength of the body’s core, which is essential for functional movement in everyday life.
Pilates offers a unique approach to fitness by elongating and strengthening muscles, enhancing elasticity, and improving joint mobility. This approach reduces the risk of injury, particularly in older adults, by improving posture, balance, and overall stability. Pilates also conditions the entire body, even targeting often-neglected areas like the ankles and feet, to ensure that all muscle groups are balanced and functioning optimally.
The Benefits of Pilates
Improved Core Strength and Posture: Pilates strengthens the muscles responsible for core stability, supporting proper spinal alignment and posture.
Reduced Risk of Injury: By balancing strength and flexibility, Pilates helps prevent muscular imbalances that can lead to injury or chronic pain, especially in the back.
Enhanced Flexibility and Joint Mobility: Pilates helps to improve both flexibility and joint mobility, particularly in the hips, shoulders, and spine.
Increased Mental Focus: The emphasis on controlled breathing and mindful movement promotes mental clarity, reduces stress, and fosters a mind-body connection.
Better Performance: Whether you're an athlete or just looking to improve your everyday movement, Pilates can help you perform better and with less risk of injury.
What is Pelvic Floor Pilates (Pfilates)?
While traditional Pilates focuses on strengthening the body’s core, Pelvic Floor Pilates (also known as Pfilates) takes a specialized approach to target the pelvic floor muscles, which are critical for pelvic health, posture, and stability. These muscles support vital organs, including the bladder, uterus (in women), and rectum, and they play a crucial role in controlling bodily functions such as urination.
At Physical Edge, Mena Porter is our dedicated Pelvic Health Pilates instructor, offering clients expert guidance in Pfilates to support recovery, strength, and stability in this often-overlooked area of the body.
Pfilates combines pelvic floor exercises with traditional Pilates movements to help strengthen and stabilize the pelvic floor. This practice is especially beneficial for individuals who have experienced pelvic floor dysfunction, incontinence, or recovery after childbirth or surgery. It can also enhance overall body awareness, balance, and control.
The Benefits of Pelvic Floor Pilates (Pfilates)
Improved Bladder and Bowel Control: Pfilates helps to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which can prevent or manage issues like urinary incontinence.
Enhanced Core Strength and Stability: By targeting the pelvic floor, Pfilates supports the core muscles and promotes better posture and stability.
Reduced Risk of Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Strengthening the pelvic floor helps reduce the likelihood of pelvic organ prolapse, a condition where pelvic organs drop or shift.
Improved Sexual Health: A strong pelvic floor can enhance sexual function and overall pelvic health.
Better Posture and Alignment: Strengthening the pelvic floor can improve posture, leading to better alignment throughout the body.
Exercises in Pelvic Floor Pilates (Pfilates)
Pfilates exercises are designed to engage the pelvic floor muscles through specific movements, such as:
Kegel exercises: These exercises involve contracting and releasing the pelvic floor muscles to improve muscle tone and control.
Breathing techniques: Proper breathing techniques help activate and engage the pelvic floor muscles during Pilates movements.
Core-focused movements: Exercises often target the lower abdomen, hips, and pelvis to strengthen the pelvic region.
It’s important to note that individuals considering Pelvic Floor Pilates should consult with a healthcare provider or a pelvic floor physiotherapist to ensure they’re addressing their specific needs. We’re excited to be welcoming Alyson Schwichtenberg, a dedicated pelvic floor physiotherapist, to our team at Physical Edge. Alyson provides expert support for clients navigating pelvic health concerns, from incontinence to postpartum recovery. A certified Pilates instructor, such as Mena, can then guide clients through a tailored program to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles safely and effectively.
Why Combine Pilates and Pelvic Floor Pilates?
Both Pilates and Pfilates work in tandem to provide a comprehensive approach to overall health. Pilates focuses on developing a strong, flexible, and balanced body, while Pelvic Floor Pilates targets the deep stabilizing muscles of the pelvis, promoting pelvic health and functionality. Together, these practices enhance core strength, improve posture, reduce the risk of injury, and promote both physical and mental well-being.
Whether you're looking to improve your posture, recover after surgery, or manage pelvic health issues, both Pilates and Pelvic Floor Pilates are excellent tools that complement each other and support your overall health journey.
The Mind-Body Connection: Breathing and Focus
Both Pilates and Pfilates emphasize the importance of proper breathing and mindfulness. Focusing on controlled breathing during movement not only helps activate muscles more effectively but also reduces stress, enhances mental clarity, and supports emotional balance. The mind-body connection is at the heart of these practices, helping you become more in tune with your body, its movements, and your overall well-being.
Ready to Start?
Interested in experiencing the benefits of Pilates or Pelvic Floor Pilates? Contact our clinic today to learn more or schedule your session.
Our certified instructors will guide you through personalized exercises tailored to your needs, helping you build strength, improve posture, and support your overall well-being.
Weekly Private Pilates Schedule
Our certified Pilates instructors offer personalized one-on-one sessions to support your strength, stability, and wellness goals.
Adrienne
Private Reformer Sessions (45 min)
🗓 Tuesdays & Thursdays
🕘 Available between 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Mena
Private Reformer & Pelvic Floor Pilates (45 min)
🗓 Wednesdays
🕙 Available between 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
All private sessions are $80 for 45 minutes.
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