So far, I'm really enjoying my Pilates class. It's a lot more challenging than I thought it would be, and I'm getting all the benefits I thought I would, plus some I didn't expect.
I took the class because I need some help with running a good safe Body Trim class, and Pilates is all about proper posture and lots of cueing. That is certainly happening; I am a lot more comfortable telling my participants to stabilize their shoulders, hips, etc, as we work through the exercises.
The second benefit I was looking for and got was a good core workout. I feel stronger every week. I sit a little straighter at work now, and I can sit on the edge of a crappy chair and maintain a nice straight back for several hours.
The unexpected benefits has been the discovery of some weak spots, like my neck and my left hip. The left hip makes sense since that's where my ankle problems are. Hopefully I can correct that. The big challenge has been my neck. I have never been able to do sit-ups without supporting my head, and in Pilates we do a lot of crunches or various sort. The instructor has been really helpful, spending time with me, trying to teach my how to hold my head up so that it's not hurting my neck. (Tuck in the chin but don't move the head forward.) (I know, it sounds easy.) I can do it while lying down or standing up, but as soon as I'm in a crunch position, I lose the alignment and neck start to hurt again. But I think I'm making progress. We have another five weeks to go; perhaps by the end I'll be able to hold up head up comfortably. I'm really hoping that the neck strength will also help with the neck/upper back soreness that I get from sitting at computers all day.
And one more benefit: I'm actually finding the class fun! Today we had only three participants, and we ended up laughing a lot when some of us just couldn't do some exercises. It's interesting to see how different people find different exercises easy and others impossible. I can't "roll like a ball" at all. I get stuck on my back like an upside-down turtle.
I'm going to try to take the same class in September if I can. (It will depend on my work/school/Dalplex schedule.)
3 comments:
That sounds like so much fun! Wish we had a class like that here. We have Body Balance, but it's nothing like a full-on pilates course! I bet I couldn't do half the exercises! :)
We are going to really have to fly to the East Coast on our next trip to Canada and visit you and then I'll go to all your classes! Woohoo! :)
I like most Pilates, but Pontius was a bit obsessive-compulsive with the hand-washing thing, and we never really got along.
Blackwood Lady: I would sooo be happy to see you here!
I really want to come and visit you too, but boy, what a lot of $$ to fly over!
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