Episode 80: Why Pilates is Key to Stress Relief & Strength with Sandra Finley

Strength
Written By Nicole Goode
 

Feeling overwhelmed and drained? In this episode, we sit down with Sandra Finley to explore how Pilates can be a game-changer for both stress relief and building strength. Sandra shares her personal journey from corporate burnout to discovering the healing power of movement. She explains how Pilates helped her regain energy, improve her mental clarity, and build a stronger, more resilient body.

We dive into the science-backed benefits of Pilates, including its impact on reducing cortisol levels, enhancing mobility, and strengthening both the core and mind-body connection. Sandra also offers practical tips for incorporating Pilates into a busy lifestyle, whether you’re a total beginner or looking to deepen your practice.

If you're searching for a sustainable way to manage stress, boost your physical strength, and feel more energized in daily life, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear why Pilates is the key to a healthier, more balanced life!

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast and related website is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. It is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat, instead it is designed to help educate and inspire. Always seek the advice of a professional medical practitioner or qualified health practitioner. Never ignore or disregard advice given to you based on information in this podcast or related website and do not delay in seeking medical advice.

 

Timestamps:

[00:50] - How Sandra discovered Pilates and what drew her to it

[06:00] - Overcoming excuses and impostor syndrome

[09:40] - The benefits of Pilates and why it’s an excellent form of movement 

[13:15] - How Pilates helps regulate the nervous system, especially for burnout recovery

[16:00] - Understanding the differences between mat Pilates and reformer Pilates

[20:50] - Can you do Pilates if you have muscle imbalances?

[24:20] - The importance of core strength and how Pilates helps maintain it

[28:20] - The emotional benefits of Pilates

[30:20] - Where to start if you’re new to Pilates and want to build a routine

[33:20] - Is social media shaping our perception of Pilates and other movement practices?

 
“Breath work combined with mindfulness has been proven to regulate the nervous system and reduce the cortisol and stress levels. On top of that, the movements and the stretching are going to help relieve tension and promote circulation. It’s going to help with that lymphatic drainage and removing toxins from the body”
— Sandra Finley
 

Essential learnings from this episode…

  • Pilates helps reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels and promoting relaxation.

  • There is a deep connection between Pilates and strength. It helps with core stability, which is essential for overall health.

  • The mind-body benefits of Pilates include improved focus, posture, and mobility.

  • Simple ways to incorporate Pilates into a busy lifestyle, even if you're a beginner.

  • Consistency matters in Pilates, and small daily movements can lead to lasting change.

 
 

Thank You For Tuning In

We are so grateful for you tuning in today to our podcast. If you enjoyed today’s show, you can really help us spread the word by sharing the episode and joining in on the conversation over on Instagram @goode_health. 

Rating and reviewing the episode is highly helpful, I promise I read every single one and reviewing the show really helps us in the podcast charts.

Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on your favourite podcast player so that you don’t miss an episode! 

Nicole Goode
Next

Episode 79: How Functional Testing Finds Root Causes (Part 1)