I never really ‘got’ Pilates

I never really ‘got’ Pilates.

I’d hear people talk about it like it was this miracle method — part stretching, part strength, ... something else? I wasn’t sure if it was just a gentle warm-up or a real workout, and honestly, I didn’t ask too many questions.

That changed during COVID.

Like a lot of people, I was looking for something — anything — to keep moving, stay sane, and feel a bit more in control. So I gave Pilates a proper go. Not just a one-off YouTube session, but regular practice.

And that’s when I started to get it.

The shifts were subtle, but they added up fast. I wasn’t just feeling a bit looser or calmer. My balance improved. My posture changed. I noticed I was more aware of how I moved, how I stood, how I breathed. Tiny movements that looked like nothing were lighting up muscles I hadn’t thought about in years.

That’s the magic of Pilates — it sneaks up on you.

And for women especially, this kind of strength-based, low-impact work becomes more and more valuable over time. After 30, we naturally begin to lose muscle mass. That’s not about ageing badly — it’s just biology. But we can do something about it. Pilates offers a way in. It’s not loud or flashy. It meets you where you are. And it helps build real strength in a way that feels comfortable and kind to your body.

If you’ve ever dismissed Pilates as “just stretching”, I did too. But it might just be the thing that helps you feel stronger, more connected, and more at ease
in your own body.