Posts Tagged ‘strengthen’
March MATness
Happy Friday! Today we will add the last 3 of the “series of 5.” The single straight leg stretch, the double straight leg stretch and the criss cross. These 3 exercises are not part of Joseph Pilates original mat repertoire but are great core strengtheners. Your ultimate goal is to perform the “series of 5”…
Read MoreMarch MATness – Single Leg Stretch and Double Leg Stretch
Today we are going to add the single leg stretch and double leg stretch to the mat repertoire that you have hopefully been practicing at home! These are the first two in what we call the “series of 5” Single Leg Stretch 1. Lie on your back with your legs full extended and engaged. Arms…
Read MoreMarch MATness – Rolling Like A Ball
Rolling Like A Ball Have a seat on your mat with your knees bent into your chest Tightly grab on as close to your ankles as you can with the elbows broad Your goal is to get your thighs perpendicular to the mat Bring the weight of your head toward the knees and pull your…
Read MoreMarch MATness – The Roll Over
Here we are on day 3 of March MATness and that brings us to the rollover. The roll over is a “rolling” exercise and requires a lot of control. A very important component of this movement is to remember the “full body” connection. Before you practice the roll over, make sure that you feel strong…
Read MoreMarch MATness – The Roll Up
The Roll Up 1. Lie on your back with legs fully extended, feet flexed, arms lengthening towards the wall behind you 2. Inhale as you bring your arms to the ceiling and pull your ribcage and abs into the mat 3. Bring the weight of your head forward and begin to peel your spine…
Read MorePREVENT THE PUDGE CHALLENGE
Commandment #10: YOU NEED AT LEAST 8 HOURS OF UNINTERRUPTED SLEEP PER NIGHT Most people know that adequate sleep is necessary for optimal health however; most do not realize that inadequate sleep can cause weight gain. Research shows that the number of hours an individual sleeps influences their risk of obesity. Sleep deprivation can be…
Read MorePREVENT THE PUDGE CHALLENGE
Commandment #9: YOU NEED TO ALLOW YOURSELF A TREAT Deciding how often to indulge in your favorite treats can be a difficult choice. Do you indulge in a treat every day or just on the weekends? If you are too strict with your eating plan, it can backfire, resulting in binge eating or worse yet…
Read MorePREVENT THE PUDGE CHALLENGE
Commandment #7: YOU NEED WATER. Water makes up about 60 percent of total body mass in adults and about 75 percent for infants. Water is the most essential nutrient the body needs, followed by electrolytes. The major electrolytes include sodium, potassium and chloride, they are essential to maintain normal fluid balance. Each cell must have…
Read MoreHappy Feet
“Left foot, left foot, left foot, right. Feet in the morning, feet at night.” Recognize this famous children’s book? I was reading Dr. Seuss’s Foot Book to my son the other night before bed. It reminded me of how important our feet are to movement and how often we neglect them and their supportive musculature.…
Read MorePilates and Injury Prevention
Pilates is a series of exercises that strengthen the core and stabilizing muscles around the spine and joints. While the main focus is on the core, other areas such as the hips, glutes, legs, shoulders, and arms will also benefit. Pilates is a safe and effective form of exercise for all individuals and offers a…
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