A Strong Core
I am obsessed with Pilates lately. A few weeks ago a friend of mine talked me into going to a class with her and I was immediately hooked.
Pilates is a body conditioning routine that helps build flexibility and long, lean muscles. (Who doesn’t want that?) Pilates strengthens and builds endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back. It puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment and breathing to relieve stress and allow adequate oxygen flow to muscles. PIlates helps to develop a strong core or center (tones abdominals while strengthening the back), and improves coordination and balance.
A strong core helps to alleviate and prevent back pain. Many people think that the core is just the abdominals. But in fact, the core includes the shoulders, glutes, hips and hip flexors. PIlates works all these muscle groups in a structured fashion. PIlates creator, Joseph Pilates, also used the term “controlology” to describe his exercise method and that is because Pilates takes much control. Control through concentration is key to perform the exercises properly.
This control and concentration is exactly why I am hooked. I find that when I’m practicing PIlates, I become more aware of the area of my body that need to be strengthened or stretched. And this information is key when it comes time for my next massage.
I encourage you to look into the Pilates method of core stregthening. Not only will it help you get stronger, more flexible and longer, it will also help you become more aware of you own body. Sharing this information with your massage therapist will help her zero in on the areas you feel need more work in the massage session; thus guiding you to the very best you can be.
I am obsessed with Pilates lately. A few weeks ago a friend of mine talked me into going to a class with her and I was immediately hooked.
Pilates is a body conditioning routine that helps build flexibility and long, lean muscles. (Who doesn’t want that?) Pilates strengthens and builds endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back. It puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment and breathing to relieve stress and allow adequate oxygen flow to muscles. PIlates helps to develop a strong core or center (tones abdominals while strengthening the back), and improves coordination and balance.
A strong core helps to alleviate and prevent back pain. Many people think that the core is just the abdominals. But in fact, the core includes the shoulders, glutes, hips and hip flexors. PIlates works all these muscle groups in a structured fashion. PIlates creator, Joseph Pilates, also used the term “controlology” to describe his exercise method and that is because Pilates takes much control. Control through concentration is key to perform the exercises properly.
This control and concentration is exactly why I am hooked. I find that when I’m practicing PIlates, I become more aware of the area of my body that need to be strengthened or stretched. And this information is key when it comes time for my next massage.
I encourage you to look into the Pilates method of core stregthening. Not only will it help you get stronger, more flexible and longer, it will also help you become more aware of you own body. Sharing this information with your massage therapist will help her zero in on the areas you feel need more work in the massage session; thus guiding you to the very best you can be.
RSS Feed