Alternative Healthy Lifestyle

Tips for A Healthy Lifestyle


Friday, August 11, 2006

Who Should Consider and Learn Pilates?

Pilates

Hi all,
Good day to you.
Some of my readers asked who should take up Pilates?
Here is my answer............

Who Should Consider and Learn Pilates?

Pilates, has long been described by many experts and professionals as the “perfect exercise system”. But, what really is the reason behind this “description”? Well, I think it stemmed from the fact that Pilates is attractive to many classes of people and situations.

The people who can consider and perform Pilates are the following:

Athletes

For long years, Pilates has been performed by athletes. Yes, athletes love Pilates. In fact, most of the Pilates practitioners have worked with athletes whose progress in their chosen sport or art has been hindered by tight muscles, injuries or simply needing to be strengthened in a new way.

Bodybuilders

Just like athletes, the bodybuilders love Pilates. As you may know, they are always amazed that even with lighter weights, they can fatigue their muscles.

People Needing Rehabilitation

Every human body has certain imbalances that can be realigned through Pilates. In some cases, these imbalances caused from injury may need rehabilitation, and the perfect solution of Pilates. Note that Pilates is different from most of the physical therapy for the reason that it strengthens the entire body, not just the injured or imbalanced parts. Perhaps one particular support for this is that during the early days of Pilates, most of the famous choreographers sent their ballet dancers to Joseph Pilates for rehabilitation from their injuries. Then, they found out that the downtime from an injury was less than half resulting from the continued overall body conditioning.

People with Poor Posture

Many people these days have bad posture. Basically, the problem with body posture is that the body is thrown out of alignment resulting in pressure on ligaments, tendons, muscles and joints in ways that may cause chronic disorders. Pilates can be used to improve the posture by correcting the alignment, making the person looks tall and long, slimmer and more confident. Note that standing up tall and straight can completely change the person’s appearance.

People with Chronic Tension

Pilates can also be useful for those people who have chronic tension. One particular reason to support this claim is that Pilates, being a strengthening and body conditioning system will help the body release tension. As the body releases tension, it gains more flexibility and truly strengthens. Note that the injury mainly occurs when the muscle has lost its flexibility or suppleness.

People Who Wish to Strengthen Their Small Muscle Groups

Pilates, on its most basic, focuses on working and strengthening the small muscle groups, which are the intrinsic muscles. These small muscles are actually the ones responsible for the core support of the body. Note that most strengthening programs work primarily on the large muscle groups. But, on Pilates, the small muscle groups are strengthened first in order to change the placement of the bones, which are the framework of the body. As these muscles strengthen, the impinged nerves, muscles and bones are released from being crammed together to a freedom in their range of motion. So, they can move freely.

Those Who Take Responsibility of Their Future

As you may know, several problems are set to happen as we aged. Thus, Pilates gives us a way to train you for your future. Starting the Pilates is much like investing money for your retirement. Note that strong bones and muscles, good posture, positive attitude and freedom of movement can be worth more to you because of the improvement to the quality of your life.

So, what are you waiting for? :o)

See you at the gym.

Cheers.


Pilates

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Thursday, August 10, 2006

Here Are The Basic Pilates Method Exercises!

Pilates

Hi all,
Good health to you.
Today, I just like to share some basic Pilates Method Exercises with you.

Pilates Method Exercises

Developed by Joseph Pilates, the Pilates Method is a form of exercise that targets the powerhouse of the body – the abdominal, lower back and buttocks which allow the rest of the body to move freely. However, there is much to Pilates than its being a form of exercise. It is a series of controlled movements that promote strength and flexibility.

There are more than 500 exercises involved in Pilates. All of these exercises are developed and maintained to strengthen and condition the body. Today, these exercises are disclosed to the public and so the secret of Pilates is revealed.

Now, if you are one of those who are looking for free Pilates Method exercise information, I have here a simple collection of free Pilates Method exercises that cover the core principles of the Pilates approach. Note the following for you might perform these free Pilates Method exercises one of these days:

Breathing and Hollowing

The most basic free Pilates Method exercises actually teach you how to use the deepest abdominal muscles, the transverse. The transverse is the muscle that will pull the belly contents in. To train this muscle, the best way is to breath. On the other hand, the hollowing is the transverse abdominals deflating the belly in. It must initiate in every Pilates exercise first. So to start, lie on the back with your legs bend. The hands are placed one inch below the navel on both sides. In this free Pilates method exercise, simply inhale and exhale using your breath, and hollow by sinking your belly towards the sacrum.

Thigh Lift

To start with this free Pilates method exercise, simply lie on the back with parallel legs bent and feet in the floor. Place your hands on the femoral folds. Then, inhale and breathe wide into the back body. Exhale to deflate your abdominals in and lift the bent right leg. Inhale and lower the right thigh back to its original position. Then, exhale with a hollow and lift the bent left thigh up to 90 degrees, and repeat for three more sets. Advance, hollow and lift both bent legs up and repeat three more times.

Spinal Flexion

This free Pilate Method exercise is the crunch in traditional exercises. To start with this free Pilates method exercise, you lie on the back with parallel legs bent. Lace the hands behind the head. Inhale and feel the lower ribs broaden and lengthen on the floor with breath. Exhale, hollow and sink the lower ribs into the floor as the head floats off the floor. Then, return the spine back to the floor by matching the length of the front ribs to the back ribs. Repeat three more times.

Bridging

Bridging is a free Pilates Method exercise that involves the use of legs to lift the pelvis. In this free Pilates Method exercise, the legs lift faster than the tailbone. One should feel the spine lift as one section.

Rotation

Finally, here is rotation which involves free Pilates Method exercises like the mat exercise, the saw and the corkscrew. These exercises use the obliques. All you need to do is to lie on the back with knees bent and feet in parallel. Place the hands in front of the pelvis. Then, inhale and gently drop the knees to the right. Exhale, hollow and engage the left internal obliques to rotate the pelvis to the original position. Inhale and gently drop the knees to the left. Then, repeat the second movement. You can do this free Pilates Method exercise for four more sets.

Ok, that's all for the basic exercises.
Till we 'meet' again, happy "pilatesing".

Cheers.


Pilates

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Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Everybody Is Talking About Windsor Pilates, What's That?

Pilates

Hi all,
Good day to you, feeling great? You better be. :o)

Hey, lately, everybody is talking about "Windsor Pilates", you may ask "What's That?"

Let me share with you what I know about Windsor Pilates.

Everything is possible when it comes to Windsor Pilates.

Originally developed by Joseph Pilates and redeveloped by Mari Winsor, one of the most sought after Pilates trainers by the biggest stars and celebrities in Hollywood, the Windsor Pilates has various things that make it distinct from normal weight training and exercise routines. It is a complete set that will not only help the customers to get toned and sculpted, but also to lose weight all at same time.

The Windsor Pilates is in the first place the only program that highlights an exclusive “dynamic sequencing” which is highly considered as the key to Pilates system. Mari Winsor has in fact tutored and improved her techniques over the past 15 years to acknowledge the proper order of exercises to aid the clients maximize their outputs.

To further create a better result, I understand that the Windsor Pilates has a special video “The Virtual 3-D Training” that features the methods applied in the workout. And, since it is very important in every Windsor Pilates exercise to be in correct position to attain the best posture, the Virtual 3-D Training introduces the correct positioning of the body by way of giving a distinct glimpse with graphics and special camera angles.

The Windsor Pilates also gives one a special blending of controlled kinesics that are assured to shape and sculpt long and lean muscles. So you might like to give it a try because it is claimed that, the Windsor Pilates is one of the excellent home workouts ever created. :o)

The Windsor Pilates is generally considered as a powerful tool for sculpting long and lean muscles and reshaping the body from top to bottom. All of the Pilates movements necessary for attaining this goal are included on the videos, which were designed with the instructions of Mari Winsor herself. They all work primarily on the deeper abdominal muscles and the equilibrium that aid to hold it all in.


Know something, I am preparing a report on Windsor Pilates for my subscribers. It should be ready in a week or two. So hurry, subscribe to my blog.... :o)

Ok, that's all for today, stay fit till we 'meet' again.

Cheers.


Pilates

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