While Pilates is one of the fastest-growing fitness trends, club managers are still asking, “Seriously, what exactly is mind-body exercise?” If one of your members asked you that question, what would you tell them?
The International Dance and Exercise Association defines “mind-body” exercise as “physical exercise executed with a profound, inwardly directed focus.”
“Mind-body exercise is a systematic activity where the mental focus on the physical movements being performed is paramount,” says Elizabeth Larkam, Director of Pilates for the Western Athletic Clubs in California. “You’ll see instructors using a lot of verbal cues and coaching on things like the quality of breathing, rhythmic inhalation and exhalation during the exercise, and proper body alignment.”
So, while mind-body exercise contributes to a myriad of aspects in overall fitness, it also assists with engagement of the mind. Why add mind-body programming to your club’s offerings?
Today, there are three important reasons for adding mind-body elements to your club’s services:
1. The mind-body element is in high demand.
2. It can be a substantial non-dues revenue generator.
3. It is a competitive differentiator.
After years of the “no pain, no gain” fitness mentality, mind-body programs have become extremely popular. According to Larkam, a big reason is the large numbers of aging Baby Boomers: “They started the fitness craze of the 1970s. Many are now older and still want to exercise, but can’t take the pounding of the step, spin and weightlifting classes they did 30 years ago. Because most mindbody exercise is very gentle on the joints, it gives these people an easier, yet still effective way to work out.”
Mind-body exercise can also serve as a calming influence in our usually hectic lives. We face a bombardment of stimuli everyday – blaring TVs, ringing cell phones – and we’re running from one scheduled activity to the next.
“It’s difficult today to create the field of calm needed to physically and mentally rejuvenate the body,” says Larkam. “Mind-body exercise can find that focused calm by concentrating on a single stimulus such as a movement in an exercise.”
Perhaps the greatest appeal of mind-body exercise is that, with modifications, it is suitable for all ages, body types and levels of ability. And, with the right instructors, several disciplines can help special populations within your club to alleviate various ailments, like back or neck problems.
What mind-body exercise is best for your club? That depends on your demographics and the availability of qualified instructors. While Pilates and yoga top the list, clubs are also offering programming in the following mind-body disciplines:
– Tai Chi: Practiced in western health clubs, Tai Chi can be thought of as a moving combination of yoga and meditation. It consists of a sequence of body movements, many originally derived from the martial arts. Benefits include improved blood pressure and stress relief.
– Feldenkrais: This therapeutic method consists of gentle movements designed to re-educate the nervous system, allowing the body to move more naturally and effectively. It is particularly beneficial for those with neuromuscular difficulties as well as posture and skeletal problems.
– Gyrokinesis®: Incorporating principles from yoga, ballet, gymnastics, and Tai Chi, Gyrokinesis systematically and gently works the joints and muscles through rhythmic and undulating exercises. Benefits include: increased flexibility and energy, improved posture, and reduced stress.
For more successful mind-body programming in your club, consider the following factors:
– A Quiet Area: An important note for clubs providing mindbody programming: a tranquil atmosphere where members can concentrate on their movements is required. That can be a challenge in many clubs.
– A Designated Room: Because of the intense focus and range of movements of mind-body exercises, it’s important that you designate a room for your classes, if possible. If you can’t, create a sense of containment within the space that you have by putting up some portable partitions around the session.
– Lighting: If you have overhead lights, turn off half of them to create a more subdued environment. You might also buy inexpensive floor lamps to use instead of harsher overhead lights. Larkam suggests buying salt lamps, which have a warm, soothing glow and emit negative ions that are healthy to breathe.
– Temperature: Unlike many fitness classes, (for which room temperatures are lowered to avoid overheating), spaces used for Pilates sessions need to be warmer. Room temperature should be set at 70 degrees or higher. Direct airflow should vent up, and not onto students.
– Scheduling: Avoid placing mind-body activities adjacent to potentially loud group exercises like cycling or basketball. If this isn’t possible, then use sensitivity when scheduling simultaneous activities in the mind-body and adjacent areas.
Whichever type of mind-body programming you implement in your facility, remember that one of your most important goals is to let your clients put aside their “daily grind” and let them be rewarded with a positive fitness experience.
Ken Endelman is the Founder and CEO of Balanced Body Inc, the world’s leading resource for Pilates equipment, education and information. For more information, visit www.pilates.com .
