| Pilates exercises focus on posture, strength, and | | | | their balance, muscles, movements, and body-parts |
| flexibility - all three are important components for any | | | | coordination. |
| good dancer. The use of Pilates results in a | | | | The body is a machine that can wear out if it is |
| strengthening of the upper body that enhances a | | | | continually under stress. Dancing is a very stressful |
| dancer's balance, alignment of body parts, better | | | | activity as far as the body and mind is concerned. |
| posture while still or turning, and other spinal muscle | | | | The muscles are always overworked and the mind |
| alignments. Pilates exercises are also good at lower | | | | has to keep up with the maintenance of balance and |
| body parts like the ankles and feet that play a key | | | | general control. Pilates help to bring discipline, easier |
| role in any form of dance. | | | | control and coordination while at the same time |
| What Pilates exercises does is increase the alertness | | | | increasing muscle strength and also helping with |
| level of the body to surrounding physical space and | | | | relaxation. |
| leave the mind in better control and hence more | | | | Pilates can work on isolated muscles groups (like the |
| relaxed. The purpose of the Pilates exercise is to | | | | shoulders) or it can work on complex muscle groups |
| make sure that the mind is aware of all muscles | | | | (abdomen and back). A different exercise works on |
| involved in every moment and to take them into | | | | all muscles in the body and helps to restore and |
| account while maintaining balance and agility. Because | | | | rebuild muscle tissue that has broken down due to |
| of this, Pilates can work on nearly every part of the | | | | stress. Increase strength ensures that a similar |
| body. | | | | muscle tissue breakdown is reduced in the future so |
| Dance teachers or coaches will often recommend | | | | that dancers do not get tired too easily and their |
| Pilates exercises to dancers to help them improve | | | | body does not hurt once they stop dancing. |