I currently attend a weekly pilates class, and while it's difficult to say whether its fixing my back or not, it is certainly making me more flexible.
Pilates is very similar to yoga, but focusses on " core stability" (the transverse abdominus muscle particularly) more than particular stretches or balances. Certainly there's a lot of similarity, and my pilates teacher regularly introduces moves that I recognise from yoga.
Pilates was founded by Joseph Hubertus Pilates, a German boxer, circus performer and self-defense trainer. He developed his system (originally called "contrology") in the 1920s and opened an exercise studio in New York, which by the 1940s was popular with the local dancers. Pilates' treated each person on an individual basis, and this means that his various followers have developed their own version of his technique.
So I get an hour of controlled stretches each week - and although it's hard work and I can feel it working my muscles, I also find it very relaxing. I find myself yawning during warm up - I don't know if that's a feature of pilates or whether that's just me.
It's interetsting to note that everyone in the class finds different exercises difficult. For example, I find shoulder bridges (an exercise in which you lie on your back and slowly "peel" your spine from the ground one vertebra at a time) particularly hard (because my back is stiff in places) but my wife has no problem with them. On the other hand, she finds anything involving her upper body harder work - whereas I find that relatively straight-forward. So what tends to happen is that pilates gives both of us the work out we need.
Pilates effectiveness
I have to admit to being slightly skeptical about the benefits of a weekly pilates class, but having just had a break over Christmas (our pilates classes are in terms that roughly follow the school terms), I really notice the fact that I haven't been attending - and my back pain has been worse as a result.
Pilates tips
- If you can, find a pilates class that you can walk to. My pilates class is in the village hall, and as well as pilates I get the benefit of a brisk 10 minute walk at each end. (A very brisk walk if it's raining!)
- Let your pilates teacher know that you have a bad back (or neck, knee, wrist or anything else) as the exercises are all graduated and you shouldn't attempt exercises that are too hard for you.
- Buy a book - it helps to get another perspective on the exercises, and means you can do the exercises at home in between classes as well. We've got two: Total Pilates by Malcolm Muirhead which provides a number of exercise routines which mimics going to a class, and Secrets of Pilates by Sally Searle and Cathy Meeus which is pocket size and travels easily.
I currently attend a weekly pilates class, and while it's difficult to say whether its fixing my back or not, it is certainly making me more flexible.
Pilates is very similar to yoga, but focusses on " core stability" (the transverse abdominus muscle particularly) more than particular stretches or balances. Certainly there's a lot of similarity, and my pilates teacher regularly introduces moves that I recognise from yoga.
Pilates was founded by Joseph Hubertus Pilates, a German boxer, circus performer and self-defense trainer. He developed his system (originally called "contrology") in the 1920s and opened an exercise studio in New York, which by the 1940s was popular with the local dancers. Pilates' treated each person on an individual basis, and this means that his various followers have developed their own version of his technique.
So I get an hour of controlled stretches each week - and although it's hard work and I can feel it working my muscles, I also find it very relaxing. I find myself yawning during warm up - I don't know if that's a feature of pilates or whether that's just me.
It's interetsting to note that everyone in the class finds different exercises difficult. For example, I find shoulder bridges (an exercise in which you lie on your back and slowly "peel" your spine from the ground one vertebra at a time) particularly hard (because my back is stiff in places) but my wife has no problem with them. On the other hand, she finds anything involving her upper body harder work - whereas I find that relatively straight-forward. So what tends to happen is that pilates gives both of us the work out we need.
Pilates effectiveness
I have to admit to being slightly skeptical about the benefits of a weekly pilates class, but having just had a break over Christmas (our pilates classes are in terms that roughly follow the school terms), I really notice the fact that I haven't been attending - and my back pain has been worse as a result.
Pilates tips