“Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.”
— Elle Woods, Legally Blonde
We can probably all recite this famous Elle Woods quote. But is it actually true?
First, let’s break it down.
Endorphins are chemicals naturally produced by the body that can help relieve pain and contribute to feelings of well-being.
Okay, that’s great. So what triggers them?
A few things associated with endorphin release include:
Physical activity
Pleasurable experiences
Social and emotional connection
And this is where Pilates comes in.
Pilates is physical activity. It can be something you genuinely enjoy. And when you practice in a studio, it can also be social. In one 50-minute class, you’re moving your body, focusing your mind, and connecting with the people around you.
But enough about the science. Here’s my personal take.
Pilates is one of the few forms of exercise I have ever truly stuck with.
I wasn’t athletic growing up. I was terribly uncoordinated, so sports were definitely not my thing. I never loved going to the gym because I would get bored. I love yoga, but I wanted something a little more strenuous.
Then I found Pilates in 2020.
And while Pilates has done incredible things for me physically, what it has done for me mentally is what keeps me coming back.
I just feel better.
For those 50 minutes, my brain focuses on my body, my movement, and my breath. Finding something that could quiet my mind like that felt like a miracle.
Life is full of deadlines, responsibilities, anxiety, notifications, and constant stimulation competing for our attention. But when I’m in a Pilates class, I get 50 minutes to turn down all that outside noise and simply be present in my body.
People talk about a runner’s high. I’ve never experienced that myself.
But I have experienced the Pilates High.
I have walked out of class with clarity and peace when I desperately needed it. Other times, I’ve walked out feeling inspired, energized, and creative. Sometimes the biggest benefit of class isn’t what my muscles did that day—it’s how my mind feels when I leave.
The physical benefits of Pilates are plentiful, and they are absolutely part of why I practice. But the mental benefits?
Those are what will keep me practicing for the rest of my life.
Maybe Elle Woods was onto something after all.
Here for all your phases,
April