I’m curious if any of you do Pilates and if so, what kind of results have you gotten and how (if at all) has it affected your riding?
is great for riding (IMO) Improves trunk strength and flexibility, in particular.
I have only done the self-taught stuff also (From the Pilates Workbook) but have found it to be a super form of exercise.
What IS it? Like what do you do? Is it like Yoga? It sounds so fun though!
Moved this here from H/J.
I think this has been discussed before… a search of old threads should turn up a few hits.
One of the best resources I’ve found for (contemporary) Pilates on the web is Stott Pilates.
They have a FAQ section that describes Pilates. The thing I liked most about it was that when I would finish I’d feel so relaxed and energized. Well and the tight flat abs didn’t hurt either!
I have a copy one of the books on my nightstand. Does that count? 
Maybe if I put it under my pillow I would be more supple and slender. 
“The older I get, the better I used to be.”
I know a couple riders (different disciplines)who go to classes regularly and say that it has really helped their riding.
I’m curious if any of you do Pilates and if so, what kind of results have you gotten and how (if at all) has it affected your riding?
I had a jumping accident about a year ago where I got severly whiplashed. I have had nothing by chronic lower back pain since, even though I was seeing a PT. Nothing seemed to work until I started with Pilates. The mat work has been essential and has strengthed my lower back which has made a positive difference in my riding and jumping. I strongly recommend it
I have never done it, probably because I can’t even pronounce it! I have heard great things about it though. I am sure it couldn’t do anything but help riding. Anything that balances and strengthens helps riding!
I take a Pilates class once a week and really like it. I like it better than yoga (at least the yoga classes I’ve taken) because it was more stretching and less breathing- I felt like I’d accomplished more by the end of the class.
I think the best workout- and most fun- is kickboxing. 
I’ve only done “do-it-yourself” Pilates from the Moira Stott videos, but I loved it. I didn’t have a horse at the time, so I can’t comment on riding. But it did make it so much easier to sit at my desk all day. It does wonders for your posture, balance and flexibility. A friend of mine who used to do it religiously said when she went on a long snomobiling trip she was the only one who could walk at the end of the day because of it.
I would imagine it could help your riding, since it makes you keenly aware of your body and breathing. If anything, it definitely makes you look better in your breeches!
I’ve done a few videos that combine pilates and yoga techniques and they’re wonderful. It lengthens your muscles and improves your balance – both good things for riding!
I would recommend you give it a try. And if you haven’t done so, give yoga a try as well. There are some wonderful videos out there that are very helpful.
Good luck!
