Palak Tiwari’s Pilates workout is about more than the ‘burn’: Here’s Why

Actor Palak Tiwari recently shared a glimpse of her Pilates session conducted under the supervision of fitness trainer Almas Merchant. Merchant's photographs and videos showcased Tiwari seated on the Pilates equipment, diligently working with resistance straps while maintaining a controlled posture. Rather than focusing on lifting heavy weights or completing numerous repetitions, the session emphasized strength, grace, and effortless control.

Sanaaz Ashba, founder of Gaff Your Buds and a movement and preventive health advocate, elucidates that Pilates, despite gaining recent popularity on social media, has been in existence for over a century. Ashba explains that Pilates is more than an exercise routine; it is about understanding one's body and its movements.

The equipment used in Tiwari's session is called a Reformer, one of the fundamental pieces of apparatus in Pilates. Developed by Joseph Pilates, the Reformer utilizes springs, straps, and a moving carriage to introduce resistance while facilitating various movements. Additional boxes can alter positioning and exercise variations.

Tiwari's session primarily consisted of upper-body movements such as side-seated bicep curls, lateral arm raises, and an overhead press. The movements Ashba describes are designed to work the torso and core, including the obliques, while also challenging shoulder stability. Core in Pilates refers to the area between the lower ribcage and pelvis, encompassing more than just the abdominal muscles.

Ashba emphasizes that Pilates is not just about which muscle is burning. Instead, the practice demands coordination between the mind and body. While gym workouts aim to build strength and fitness, Pilates places significant emphasis on body awareness, control, and precision. This mind-body connection, Ashba believes, contributes to increased confidence, improved posture, and a greater awareness of one's body.

For those new to Pilates, Ashba advises looking beyond aesthetics. Modern lifestyles often involve prolonged periods of sitting, walking, working at desks, and using devices, all of which can affect how we naturally hold and move our bodies. Pilates aims to increase body awareness and teach the body to work more efficiently. Ashba's philosophy, encapsulated in four words, is "Pilates is you," suggesting that the practice is more about understanding one's body than following another fitness trend.