May Newsletter - Power Of Pilates

Babies, babies and more babies...

I have just completed a course for Ante & Post Natal Pilates and am looking forward to putting this knowledge to good use!

The course contained the latest guidelines and information from the royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and was full of information for when you first discover that you are pregnant through to returning to Pilates after the birth. I found the course very interesting, and even spent an hour with pillows up my top to see the difficulties you pregnant ladies face when trying to get into position!

The new recommendations for 2008 are released shortly so I will keep you informed of any changes. If you would like further information on Pilates and Pregnancy, please feel free to contact me: claire@powerofpilates.co.uk

I am now qualified / attended the following courses:

Qualifications:
OCR Level 2 in Exercise & Fitness - Pilates matwork.
Register of Exercise Professionals level 2.
First aid.

Pilates Level 3 - ongoing

Certificates in:
Pilates & Pregnancy (Apr 08)
Pilates Arms and Legs (Dec 07)
Pilates X-band (Dec 07)
Pilates Body Rolling (Dec 07)

Celebrity Pilates fans – Joan Collins

"What do I like most about Pilates? The fact that I can really feel my body working. I might do 250 crunches but my body is so used to them that I don't really feel them. With Pilates, I can really feel my abdominals even if I only do six or 12 repetitions."
Joan Collins first started doing Pilates over 20 years ago

Good Posture

Good posture is also good prevention for problems later in life; if you have poor posture your bones are not properly aligned, and your muscles, joints, and ligaments take more strain than nature intended. Faulty posture may cause you fatigue, muscular strain, and, in later stages, pain. Many individuals with chronic back pain can trace their problems to years of faulty postural habits. Good posture also contributes to good appearance; the person with good posture projects poise and confidence!

Your Back: A healthy back has three natural curves: a slight forward curve in the neck (cervical curve), a slight backward curve in the upper back (thoracic curve), and a slight forward curve in the low back (lumbar curve). Good posture actually means keeping these three curves in balanced alignment.

Your Muscles: Strong and flexible muscles also are essential to good posture. Abdominal, hip, and leg muscles that are weak and inflexible cannot support your back’s natural curves.

Your Joints: Hip, knee, and ankle joints balance your back’s natural curves when you move, making it possible to maintain good posture in any position.

Move of the month…

Arm Openings

Bring yourself into side lying neutral, keeping your waist lifted and your knees bent as if sitting in a chair. Rest a chi ball or pillow between your knees and a Pilates block or a pillow under your head to keep your hips and neck in neutral alignment. Place your arms outstretched in front on you, palms meeting – keep your shoulders down, don’t let them slide up round your ears.

Breathe in to prepare
Breathe out, engage core and slowly lift and extend arm as if you are painting a rainbow above your body. Allow your head to follow your arm movement across the body. Aim to touch the floor behind you, but don’t force the movement
Keep pelvis in neutral, don’t allow the hips to roll back
Breathe in and hold
Breathe out, return arm to neutral, ensure palms meet