TL;DR:
TLDR: Pilates, originating during the Spanish flu and World War I, has historical ties to immune health. It boosts immunity by stimulating lymphatic drainage, improving circulation, and increasing immune-fighting cells. Other immune-boosting practices include a balanced diet, adequate sleep, hydration, and limiting alcohol. Pilates combines breathing and movement for holistic immune support.
Pilates is well-known for improving overall well-being. But like other forms of exercise, Pilates can also help boost immune health. Pilates’ immune system-boosting benefits go way back. In fact, Pilates exercise was born as the Spanish flu spread across the globe and World War I sites.
This historical anecdote highlights Pilates’ early potential as an immune-boosting practice. Keep reading to learn how Pilates benefits your immune system.
Pilates: A History of Immune Defense
From 1918 to 1919, a new, deadly influenza strain infected nearly 500 million people—about 33% of the world’s population during that time! Of those infected with the Spanish flu, an estimated 50 million people died. Unlike typical flu strains, healthy adults between 20 to 40 years old were hit the hardest. At the same time, people were also losing their lives during World War I.
So where does Pilates come in? During the influenza pandemic, Joseph Pilates was (a nurse at) held at an internment camp. There, he started refining his “Contrology” exercises and teaching his methods to fellow internees. These camps were hit especially hard by influenza, but Pilates’ claimed his teachings helped prevent fellow internees from getting sick.
In a 1962 Sports Illustrated profile, Pilates said internees who practiced Contrology “ended the war in better shape than when it started, and when the great influenza epidemic came sweeping over all the countries that had fought in the war, not one of them came down with it.” Today, we know staying physically active helps improve your health and better protect you from current flu strains.
Pilates and Health: How Does Exercise Boost the Immune System?
Exercise in general is a great way to strengthen your body and mind— including your immune health! Getting your muscles moving and blood pumping, helps your body stay healthy and ready to tackle illness. Pilates specifically can help boost your immune system in a few different ways.
Simulate Lymphatic Drainage
Through controlled, precise muscle movements, Pilates stimulates the lymphatic system and helps pump lymph fluid through the body. Specifically, Pilates activates your deep core muscles and calf muscles, which are areas that help move and drain lymph fluid.
Your lymphatic system is an intricate network of vessels and nodes that helps your body’s waste removal and immune systems function.
You need lymph fluid to move through the body to get rid of built-up toxins that can affect how your body fights infections. Research shows Pilates helps move lymph fluid in the body in people with lymphedema—swelling caused by lymph fluid blockage.
Improve Circulation
Moving through Pilates exercises and deep, controlled breathing also help improve blood flow. Good circulation is another vital component of a well-functioning immune system.
When illness strikes, your circulatory system helps transport white blood cells to fight infections. Efficient circulation also works with your lymphatic system to help remove organ waste that can hold in toxins.
Increase Immune Fighting Cells
Research shows practicing Pilates helps boost important immune system cells that help protect you from getting sick and fighting current illnesses.
Older adults who practiced Pilates 3 days a week for 12 weeks were able to improve levels of monocytes and lymphocytes. Monocytes are immune cells that act as a first response against illness—aka innate immunity. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that helps your body fight an infection that has already affected your body—aka adaptive immunity.
Other research found practicing Pilates 3 times a week for 8 weeks improved important antibody levels called immunoglobulin A (IgA). Your body needs IgA for a functioning immune system, and if you don’t have enough, you’re more likely to frequently get infections and have allergies, digestive problems, and autoimmune issues.
Other Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System
Pilates is a great addition to a healthy lifestyle that supports your immune health. Other ways you can help boost your immunity include:
- Eating a nourishing, balanced diet
- Getting enough sleep
- Drinking more water
- Limiting your alcohol consumption
Boost Your Immune System With Pilates Classes
Pilates is a powerful, holistic approach to strengthening your immune system. Every Pilates movement combines deep breathing and controlled movements to help cleanse your body of toxins and boost immune response.
Learn more about enhancing your body’s natural defenses with Pilates classes at ProPilates. Our Fort Lauderdale Studio has helped Pilates beginners improve their overall health since 2000. Contact ProPilates today to start your Private or Group Pilates lessons!
