FORM Offers Mat Pilates for Adaptive Athletes
This summer, FORM Studio partnered with Infinite Abilities Fitness to bring the benefits of Mat Pilates to a special group of local adaptive athletes. Lead by our skilled instructor Olivia Robbins, the athletes participate in weekly sessions designed to be both safe and enjoyable. For several of the sessions, the heat and humidity was HIGH, but the athletes worked through it!
Olivia’s classes emphasize safety while incorporating consistent encouragement, energy, and FUN! A crowd favorite is Rolling Like a Ball, a classic Pilates exercise that offers numerous benefits including core strengthening, spinal articulation, improved balance and coordination, and spinal massage.
Olivia meets each adaptive athlete where they are in their Pilates journey. Their success in trying (often successfully!) a given exercise is equally her celebration.
The practice of Mat Pilates provides numerous benefits for everyone, including:
Improved Motor Control and Coordination: Through controlled movements and increased body awareness, Mat exercises enhance muscle coordination and motor skills.
Enhanced Flexibility and Range of Motion: Gentle stretching and targeted exercises help maintain and improve flexibility, reducing stiffness and supporting mobility.
Strengthened Supportive Muscles: Focused core work helps stabilize the body, promoting better posture and balance.
Increased Body Awareness and Sensory Integration: Mindful movement encourages awareness of bodily sensations, aiding proprioception and sensory processing.
Reduced Spasticity and Muscle Tension: Gentle, controlled movements help decrease muscle tightness, potentially easing discomfort.
Promotion of Relaxation and Stress Reduction: The slow, deliberate exercises and focused breath foster relaxation and emotional well-being.
Most importantly, the adaptable nature of Mat Pilates allows Olivia to tailor exercises to each athlete’s unique needs and abilities, ensuring everyone can participate safely and confidently. This collaboration highlights how inclusive fitness can be a powerful tool for empowerment, physical fitness, and enjoyment for everyone!
