Pilates Love
I have a confession…
I have been neglecting my own Pilates practise and concentrating on Yoga until this summer.
After being asked to teach Pilates for La Manga Club Spa I have fallen in love with Pilates all over again.
It was magical teaching at the beautiful, secluded cove La Cala where we tuned into our bodies listening to the gentle flow of the waves.
I do get asked quite often that Pilates is like Yoga?
Apart from the mind-body connection and some cross over exercises it’s not Yoga and probably a good subject for another blog.
Pilates is designed to elongate & strengthen the body, ideal for injury prevention, rehabilitation & overall physical health.
The main element of the Pilates method is considered to be a mind –body conditioning programme, which enables the body to move with less effort, allowing a flowing and balanced movement. The method uses the individuals own body to its greatest advantage, utilising its own strength, muscle flexibility and coordination and requires that the own individual pay attention to his or her body throughout the exercise.
The main key points to Pilates are Alignment, Breathing, Centring and Mobility.
Alignment – working primarily from a neutral position of the spine.
Breathing – enhances the connection between the pelvic floor and diaphragm.
Centring – focusing on the core or powerhouse which is a number of muscles around the lumbar spine, between the bottom of the ribs and cross the hips.
Mobility – is directly linked to stability, we cannot consider one without the other, maintaining stability of over mobile joints is key to encouraging the less mobile joints to be more mobile.
Although I mentioned that Pilates is not like Yoga I feel that the two do complement each other and have noticed a difference with practising a blend of the two together and shall continue to do so.
Should you wish to join me Yogilates is on a Monday night at La Manga Club Spa.
