In Pilates one of the most fundamental exercises are the footwork sequences done on either the Reformer, Trap table or Wunda chair. By observing the feet when we perform these exercises your teacher/trainer can figure out a lot about your body’s predispositions: which side is dominant, do you pronate or supinate, do you have leg length discrepancy, do you have a tendency to grip your thighs, can you keep your hips still while you move your legs, …the list goes on and on.
Because Pilates is a functional exercise system it is a great way to address imbalances in movements we perform every day, such as walking.
Walking is getting a lot of buzz in the fitness industry lately. Certainly it is a great to have a fitness option that can be done anywhere, anytime for the cost of a good pair of shoes.
Unfortunately, the majority of people assume that that walking correctly comes to us automatically. Guess what? It doesn’t.
There is a standard of walking and most of us deviate from it in many ways. Once your weight bearing joints or you spine become twisted or compromised, your entire body will shift to accommodate that change and you won’t even notice it. In the meantime, your joints often become over-loaded, and your muscles are forced to take on jobs they weren’t meant to. To make matters worse, a weight- bearing joint that is out of balance will not show even an ache until it topples over. This could happen as a result of strenuous exercise or just as easily from bending over to tie your shoe. When a joint is at its limit, that’s it.
The aesthetic look of our bodies develops in response to the way we use our muscles. Using our muscles incorrectly can result in potbellies, saddlebags, and loose butts even though we are working out.
Working out in a class that uses weights that are too heavy for you or moves too fast for you to work in form are pretty much a recipe for disaster. Perfect your form!
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