Have you ever noticed how certain areas of the body tend to feel weaker or more fatigued than others? Many of our daily activities, like working at a computer, driving, slouching in a chair, or even just walking, rely heavily on repetitive forward movements. And over time, this can weaken your abdominals, overstretch your upper back, and compress your hips. The result is often a familiar combination: a sore or stiff lower back, one or both hips that feel pinched…
Maintaining bone health is a lifelong challenge; it’s never too early to start. In fact, bone strength can begin to decline as early as age 40, slipping at an average rate of 1% per year without proper maintenance1. A well-rounded strength-training workout, like Pilates, targets all major muscle groups and benefits virtually all your bones. It’s especially valuable for the hips, spine, and wrists—areas most prone to fractures. These exercises help build bone strength and promote better balance. If you’d…
Previously we talked about finding your core to support graceful, coordinated movement. But it’s also worth noting, that your core is not some separate unit outside of the body to train in isolation. Your core is the bridge between the upper and lower body. Thus core mobility is that synergistic movement of the muscles within your trunk which extend and flex the spine. Pilates can help improve this freedom and mobility of your core to improve whole-body movement and decrease…
First off, know that abdominal strength doesn’t have anything to do with the superficial six-pack we’re sold by the larger world of fitness and diet culture. Let’s just get that out of the way! In the Pilates world, finding your core is about understanding when and how to activate your abdominals to support graceful, coordinated movement. Some very important reasons to find and exercise your core: Improves the overall stability of your trunk. Transfers power to your extremities, be it during daily activities or for…