Happy Pilates Day! I’ve been doing Pilates for seven months now, and I just learned that Pilates has an International Day of Recognition (first Saturday in May), honoring the legacy of Joseph Pilates.

Pilates has a unique history; it was initially designed for wounded soldiers during World War II, then pivoted into the dance world and eventually expanded into studios across the globe. It is known for targeting the core, flexibility, and muscles that you didn’t even know you had.

I did my first Pilates class with my sister for her birthday. We came dressed in our pretty Pilates sock and ready to embrace the reformer. We’ve been consistent for months now, and I see the added benefits in my health: I sleep better, I’m hardly ever sick, my back pain is gone, and I have more flexibility. Pilates is very addictive and worth the investment.