Pilates- how it affects me
by Lesley Powell
Coming back from vacation, I got back into the swing of my practice. I usually try to take two Pilates classes a week with my staff, and if time warrants, classes in yoga, time preparation in planning classes and once a week a tango class.
I am always amazed how Pilates, even a beginning level, changes how I stand and feel in my body. The beauty about Pilates is it works on the coordination of muscles affecting posture and alignment of one’s body. This week’s basic level reformer class I felt every joint gently mobilized and muscles strengthen to support a renewed posture. Unfortunately, if you don’t use it, you lose it. My relaxing vacation energerized me; coming back to my practice revitalized my posture.
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I have a chronic lower back problem and find that I have no problems with my back when I take pilates classes that focus on abdominals, alignment and posture. Rotation of the spine in a gentle movement helps me prevent injury to my back. Leg and arm strengthening movements also help my alignment. The idea of concentrating on the inside of the body as you move is a great way to image and move sequentially. Of course enjoying the pilates class helps.