Pilates For Posture

 Though stereotypes are dissolving with each generation, there are some that persist – in part, because they are based on real differences between men and women.

While some women can and do achieve the upper body strength of some (even very fit) men, the overwhelming majority of males have a natural advantage in this area. Male aesthetic values, the source of which isn’t clear, reinforce this and so they tend to work on upper body more than some other areas, relative to women’s efforts.

Women, in part out of a desire to be seen as attractive, will focus exercises more on buttocks and legs. But here they also have a slight natural advantage for some exercises. A woman’s pelvis tilts at a different angle than a man’s. This affects the style and efficiency of squats, for example. Women will benefit by tilting the feet outward with legs further apart, while not needing to squat so low.

Overall, (most) women have less muscle mass than men (though they have additional layers in the stomach) and a higher percentage of body fat on average. As a result, a well-designed female routine focuses less on bulking up, than toning and achieving flexibility. Women are more likely to incur injuries by lifting too much, too soon as they build up.

Men are somewhat less flexible on average, partly due to natural differences in joints, partly owing to attitude. Men tend more often than women to short change their warm-up routines, including essential stretching exercises.

All these differences (and many more) are a matter of degree, of course. Both men and women can benefit by adapting some aspects of the routines of the opposite sex.

Women are more likely to be more open to trying something new or different, such as yoga or Pilates. These focus more on being aware of different body parts, in order to maximize flexibility and overall fitness. They focus very little on achieving strength, though this is often (in part) a consequence of a good yoga or Pilates routine.

For example, several yoga routines focus on balance. But balance is optimized when all the muscles help support the joints and skeleton at correct angles in a dynamic way. That is both the cause and consequence of improved strength in the muscles that help achieve that balance.

Pilates, in particular, is a coordinated system for achieving better strength and posture and breathing by using one to aid the other. It concentrates more on controlling muscle groups than building them.

Both yoga and Pilates and many other systems popularized in the West in the last 20 years or so focus on the integration of mind and body, one helping the other. Both systems are helpful as therapy for certain spine and joint problems.

While men and women will continue to lay more importance on some exercise values – and hence routines – than on others, both can benefit by peeking over the fence to see how the other half-lives.

Around the world Yoga is considered an enjoyable way to keep fit and healthy. And, though it has been around for ages, only recently has Yoga caught the American fancy. It is a well-rounded workout designed to tone up and strengthen muscles; at the same time it increases flexibility. Yoga is also an excellent way to shed weight and boost energy and vitality. As you start to practise Yoga or Pilates, for that matter you will notice the need for some basic Yoga or Pilates equipment and accessories.
Yoga Mats
Good Yoga mats help increase balance and coordination. Most folks are not properly aligned. As a result we do a lot of what we do asymmetrically. For those intending to balance and a sense of symmetry a Yoga mat is a must. Then again, we strongly recommend a hand-woven Yoga mat. However, for those into dynamic and vigorous kinds such Power Yoga, Sticky Mats are well worth considering.
Yoga straps
The Yoga strap is highly beneficial for beginners. They are either fabricated from cotton or nylon and let you grasp your limbs, you couldn’t reach. They also help you hold a pose longer. Yoga Straps are especially helpful in bound poses when the hands cannot reach each other or for asanas where you need to hold both feet but cannot reach them.
Yoga blocks
Yoga blocks are also called Yoga bricks and are useful in executing a variety of Yoga poses. Yoga blocks help in execution of poses and offer many other benefits. Some of the benefits of Yoga blocks are that they provide stability and support for proper alignment; they also help reduce the distance between the body and the ground.
Yoga cushions
Yoga cushions help practitioners establish proper spinal alignment so that the posture stays steady, straight, and comfortable. Yoga Cushions are also beneficial to pregnant women and to people recovering from surgery. With Yoga cushions, most poses can be done comfortably as you sit on a chair or using a chair to maintain balance while standing. For added support or cushioning, Yoga Cushions are also used on top of a Yoga Mat or Yoga Chair height.
Yoga balls
Yoga Balls are a versatile prop for many postures. Fabricated from durable vinyl, they help achieve the necessary balance and support for asanas. Yoga Balls effectively increase your flexibility, improve your range of motion and balance, as well as tone up the muscles. Besides, they also help shape the body and relieve of stress.

Core training has become a hot topic in today’s fitness and health field. With advent of many activities that promote core strength and development like yoga and Pilates, the issue of core training has taken the limelight. The core is mistaken by many as the abdominal muscles. While this is not an entirely wrong statement, the term “core” is used to indicate a collection of muscles that are crucial in stabilizing the body and allow it to perform many movements. The core is composed of muscles in the hip, pelvis, abdominal, and low back area. The core is important because it stabilizes balances the part of the body where the center of gravity is located and where every movement begins. Because of its importance, a healthy core may lead to improvements in one’s overall health.
Having a healthy core may bring many health benefits. People who have weak cores are prone to chronic back pain and posture problems. A well-developed core on the other hand, may help prevent injuries and other ailments because of stronger muscles that may support the spine, pelvis and shoulder joints. Strong core muscles can handle certain joint tension that may lead to back and joint injuries. In addition, a healthy core may lead to improved posture strong because the  abdominal muscles support the spine. Proper elimination of waste products is also a benefit of strong core muscles, because the pelvic floor muscles are part of it. If the pelvic muscles are weak, they cannot contract properly and result to improper bowel functioning.
Because of the health benefits of maintaining a fit core, many people are have been including core training in their lifestyles. The good news is fitness many tools for core training are widely available. One of the most popular choice for core training is the fitness ball.  A fitness ball, also known as Pilates ball, stability ball, Swiss ball, and gym ball is made of elastic rubber which usually has a diameter of 14 to 34 inches. Instead of exercising directly on a flat surface, exercising with a fitness ball provides instability that create tension to the core muscles that aids its development.
Fitness ball exercises may aid in developing abdominal muscles by channeling the right amount of tension towards it. Studies show that doing core exercises on a fitness ball has been shown to improve balance in older individuals. Exercising with a fitness ball is a great core workout because of the instability of having to balance or center the body’s gravity while moving on the ball. In addition fitness ball abdominal exercises can promote weight loss by lowering the abdominal fats.
Regular core exercise coupled with nutritious diet are vital components of good health. Individuals who seek to improve their health should seek the advice of health professionals to maximize the effects of  exercise and healthy food regimen. Obtaining the right information from experts is important in improving one’s health. Good health is a lifetime journey and is one of the components of a  happy life.

Good yoga instruction makes one more aware of the body, alignment and patterns of movement. Beginning yoga is a great way to not only to lose flab, but to stay fit lifelong. In the right environment and setting, the yoga exercises, also known as yogaasanas, make the body supple and toned. Weight loss yoga is a very gentle way to stretch the body and makes it slimmer. Yoga training might not be the best for fast weight loss, but it is a wonderful way to keep the body and mind in shape. Yoga weight loss means losing fat that does not come back, if the yoga exercises are continued after the weight loss.
Beginning yoga
Beginning yoga is easy one has to find a convenient place for yoga instruction, or with yoga videos. The yoga movements are usually performed in a group, with a yoga mat with specialized yoga instruction. There are no expensive equipments required – the body’s own weight is used for resistance and a great deal of importance is accorded to the method with no stressful or abrupt movements. Even in the first week, one can feel the difference and the exercise makes one more energetic, happier and peaceful.
Different yoga styles
There are many different yoga styles, like ashtanga yoga, patanjali yoga etc, and they differ in their emphasis. The pilates yoga exercise system was formulated by joseph pilates over 80 years ago for cultivating more strength and lengthening the spine, and is especially popular among dancers. Pilates yoga exercises can be a valuable tool for enhancing strength, definition, and good posture, although it is not a complete balanced tool for all round well being.
Weight loss yoga
Weight loss yoga focuses on different asanas through which one can easily reduce extra fat from the body. Postures that stimulate sluggish glands to increase their hormonal secretions are included in the program, for example, asanas like shoulder stand and the fish posture are particularly effective for the thyroid gland, which secrete hormones that affect the body metabolism. Thus fat metabolism is increased with these exercises, as well as the muscle tone improved, which gives double benefit.
Yoga training reduces stress and anxiety
Yoga also entails deep breathing that increases the oxygen intake to the body cells, including the fat cells, inducing the conversion of these fat deposits to energy. Another amazing aspect of yoga training is that it reduces stress and anxiety. This stops the compulsive gobbling up of food, relaxes the mind so that the food is eaten with satisfaction and pleasure. Lesser calories are burnt with yoga than in other exercises, but it an extremely relaxing way of exercising, as it works with both the mind and the body. Weight loss yoga can be extremely fulfilling way of shedding those stubborn pounds, and can introduce a new kind of better healthier living.

Pilates has caught on almost as fast as yoga in the past several years even though it’s been around for the last century.  If you haven’t done pilates before, then you probably have heard of it but do not fully understand the concept.  It is often envisioned as just a stretching, wimpy class for women.  Actually, I have seen more and more men in pilates class and it can be quite intense depending on the modification level, which can range from beginner to advance.  Did you know that it can be an alternative to strength training? 

This 100 year old exercise tones muscles in a graceful way, without creating bulk. The quality of the movements is valued over the quantity.  The traditional pilates method movements promote slender, toned thighs and flat abs.  Who wouldn’t want that?   It strengthens the core of your body, meaning the trunk, pelvis, and shoulder girdle by using the adduction and abduction muscles.  It also works the hip area, lower back, biceps, triceps, chest, and upper body.  Another bonus of adding pilates onto your fitness routine is that it’s low impact decreasing the chance of injury in the joints. 

People at any age can benefit from this both mentally and physically.  Along with relieving stress, it also creates body awareness, proper posture, flexibility and back pain relief.    By applying proper techniques in spinal and pelvic alignment, this exercise is invaluable for injury recovery.  Regular pilates sessions over the course of a few months have cured people of chronic joint pain.  It incorporates a full range of motion which is needed as we get older to be pain free.  It adheres to the old saying “use it, or lose it.” 

Tai Chi, yoga, and dancing are other ways to get a range of motion.   It does not have to be costly, as there are hundred of free classes available and videos can be purchased for about $15.  Pilates strength training combined with cardiovascular exercises are the keys to losing weight and keeping it off.  So, what are you waiting for?  Seize the day and start investing in your health now!

This posture support is made from the finest quality beige elastic materials. It serves as a gentle reminder to hold the shoulders in a natural, correct posture, and to help prevent strain and fatigue.

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