ServicesPilates
If there's one exercise style that has taken the fitness world by storm in the last few years it's Pilates.
Everyone is doing it – from dancers to footballers – and the benefits are said to be as much mental as they are physical. So what is Pilates really all about?
Exercise for good posture
Pilates is a low-impact body and mind workout designed to stretch, strengthen and balance your whole body. It's basically exercise for good posture. One of the big problems we face regarding our posture is the fact that our physical everyday movements are not balanced. We are right or left handed, right or left footed – we are even dominant in which way we are likely to turn around! The fact that so many of us spend hours sitting in front of a computer all day also greatly affects our posture.
Addressing muscle imbalance
Before we can address our postural problems, we need to understand what bad posture actually is. Our body is basically a bunch of small to large bones, held in place with tendons, ligaments and muscles. When most of us are born, our bones are in the correct position, as our muscles haven't had much of a chance to stretch or strengthen. (Look at a baby when they are strong enough to sit upright – perfect posture!) As we get older, our imbalanced actions tend to tighten some muscles, leaving the opposing muscles stretched and weak. The longer we leave these muscles imbalanced, the harder it is to correct them.
Fixing the problems, not just the symptoms
Bad posture will not only eventually tighten and weaken specific muscles, but it can actually remove the ability to switch on muscles in the right sequence, or even switch them on at all! When this happens, our body compensates by using other muscles, which become overworked as they now have two jobs to perform.
A classic example of this is sitting in front of a computer all day with our heads and shoulders slumped forward. This position will lead to the tightening of the chest muscles, leaving the opposing muscles between our shoulder blades – the rhomboids – overstretched and weakened. If the rhomboids become too weak, they can no longer perform their function properly, and the upper trapezius muscles can be called upon to help out. This can overwork the trapezius muscles, making them tight and inflamed. That's why a sore, stiff neck and shoulders is quite common. We try to fix that problem with painkillers and massage, but that's not the answer. While these methods are great for easing the pain, they only treat the symptom, not the cause, and the pain will eventually return.
How can Pilates help?
Pilates encourages you to think about how you perform everyday movements. It heightens your body awareness, which in turn improves your overall agility, flexibility and strength. It helps to ensure your body is working at its optimal level all the time.
Regular Pilates work will correct muscular imbalance and strengthen your core muscles, including the deep abdominal muscles, pelvic floor, gluteals and deep spinal muscles. There is also a strong focus on correct breathing technique, which really helps you to de-stress and unwind.
Pilates benefits
Regular Pilates sessions at Oxygen will help you to:
Change your body shape
Develop flat abs and a strong back
Stabilise your pelvis, spine and shoulders
Stretch tight muscles and strengthen weak ones
Increase muscle strength and flexibility
Improve posture and mobility
Create a strong and supple spine
Relieve back pain and prevent injury
Re-establish your pelvic floor function
Heighten your concentration and increase body awareness
Release stress and improve energy levels
Look and feel your very best