Pilates for Posture

Stand Up!

The first thing I learnt this year is that I’m another 1/2 inch taller than I was last year – that makes a total of 11/2 inches taller than I was in high school, since taking up Pilates.

I’ve never been concerned about my height but it’s a fantastic recognition of the fact that it’s our muscles that are designed to hold us upright, and not our bones. If we think of our skeleton as providing the structure of our body, then it’s the muscles that hold those bones apart and facilitate movement through the joints. We’re designed to stand upright, but all the while we’re constantly contending with a lifetime of opposition forces through gravity, and through a predominantly sedentary modern lifestyle our muscles lose tone and strength….it’s no wonder we “shrink” as we age! It’s also “no wonder” that we accommodate aches and pains, particularly in the joints and back as just part of ageing. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

A Pilates workout will strengthen and tone all the muscles of your body, ensuring your body functions effectively. Sure you’ll get “ripped abs”, a cute bum and defined shoulders, but the effects are far greater than that! Within no time, you’ll notice that any aches and pains subside dramatically, that daily movement is easier (in a way that you never realised you missed), you’ll feel lighter through your legs and feet and you’ll actually be standing taller. Often repetitive style exercises, or repetitive workplace movements will lead to muscle imbalances and these areas become more likely to experience pain or even injury. Pilates will soon identify those imbalances and focus on strengthening the deeper smaller muscles within the body that support the larger superficial ones.

Here’s a great example:- I often meet hairdressers with shoulder, neck and/or back pain. This is a clear result of long days standing, working with their arms out in front of them, often while holding the weight of a blowdryer…try doing that for up to 12 hours at a time and you’ll soon see what they’re up against! However, by strengthen the Core muscles (these are deep lower abdominal muscles, namely the Pelvic Floor and Transverse Abdominis) standing becomes a lot easier on your lower back. Likewise, by strengthening the Glutes (that’s your buttocks) your legs will feel lighter and stronger muscles in your mid back can be utilised to take some of the weight of working with your arms out in front of you….this also applies to anyone who spends their day in this position…so for instance if you work at a desk, as a chef, or a busy mum, I mean you!

Pilates is for every body, young and old, no matter what your fitness level. A recent study into ADHD discovered that many children’s behaviour improved dramatically when their Core muscles were strengthened providing them with the muscle strength to be able to sit upright and still for longer periods of time.

If you want to improve your posture a little extra focus on the following muscles during your workout will speed up results. Firstly, those Core muscles need to be strong for just about every movement you’ll make! Your Glutes are some of the largest muscles in your body and they’ll help to take some of the weight of your feet. Due to the corset shape of your Obliques they’ll support your back, and the Erector Spinae muscles will hold your spine tall and prevent the “gravity slump”.

Make sure you workout your whole body so it functions effortlessly, but always listen to your body during the workout. You will feel your muscles working but you shouldn’t feel any pain through your back, neck or joints. If you do, just rest and join in again later with the next exercise. Take it easy and work to your own limitations.

Not only is health a normal condition, but it is our duty not only to attain it but to maintain it.

– JOSEPH PILATES

Your body is YOU-nique, make it the best it can be and you’ll live happy!

So, if you haven’t discovered Pilates yet head to befitpilates.com.au and try my FREE Online workout.