Movement is an integral part of every function and process within our bodies! It is not just strength and endurance that is affected by moment, but also our thought processes, emotions, understanding and decision making. Pilates is a great way to gently incorporate daily movement into your lives.
We sit so much these days, that the simple act of standing, stretching and moving can bring so many benefits, especially to the back.
For this reason, our focus at Farnham Pilates is to encourage you to concentrate on movement everyday, and today we’re looking at some back stretches. It’s important to move our spines in different ways, so you don’t become stiff from all that sitting. Sitting all day can lead to the phenomenon of ‘use it or lose it’ -reduced movement will result in your muscles reducing in strength, size and function within 24 hours.
So, our exercises today focus on:
- Laterally flexing the spine with exercises like a mermaid side bend;
- Extending the spine and opening the chest with a double leg kick;
- Rotation and flexing the spine and stretching the hamstrings with the saw.
Take a look at our 25 minute Stronger Back video here (you will need Vimeo to view the video).
If you are already a Pilates Community follower, you will know that we have a library of back care exercises (and many others) available for you to follow at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. Take a look at our sister website here: Pilates Community online. And our blog over on our that site this week relates to Hip and Shoulder stretches.
Don’t forget, details of all my classes can be found here.
Just keep moving! Squeeze and breathe,
Love Hannah x