Pilates is gaining popularity in Chennai for its focus on strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and enhancing mobility, all through a holistic approach centered on core strength. Originally introduced to the city over a decade ago with little fanfare, the exercise discipline is now experiencing a surge, largely driven by social media exposure. Highlighting this trend, Sivaranjani Mothikumar, a STOTT Pilates-certified instructor, opened Swasti Pilates and Yoga Studio in Anna Nagar after being inspired to bring Pilates back to Chennai from Bengaluru.
Sivaranjani, who offers both mat Pilates and yoga, notes the distinct differences between the two, especially Pilates’ emphasis on mobility, agility, posture, and its utility in injury rehabilitation. The city’s increasing number of Pilates studios reflects this growing interest, with mat-based and equipment-based Reformer Pilates attracting diverse participants, from young professionals to retirees.
Bharathi Venkat, one of Sivaranjani’s students, explains how Pilates has become integral to her self-care routine, initially joining for core strengthening on her doctor’s advice. In 2018, Thrishya Reddy, alongside her mother Vinatha Reddy, launched a franchise of Namrata Purohit’s Pilates Studio in Chennai, further contributing to the local Pilates landscape. Thrishya underscores the importance of certified trainers, emphasizing that Pilates should not be marketed as a weight-loss regime, but rather as a way to enhance overall fitness.
With franchises now in Khader Nawaz Khan Road and Adyar, Thrishya notes the diverse clientele, pointing out that many initially try Pilates for variety in their fitness routines but remain for its core strengthening benefits. As awareness and demand grow, the call for qualified trainers becomes ever more critical to ensure safe and effective instruction.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/here-is-how-pilates-thrives-in-2024-in-chennai/article68772272.ece
Category : Chennai
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