Stability
Core stability is at the centre of Pilates, helping us to build body awareness and improve control and alignment.
Our core is more than just abdominal muscles. It includes our deep supportive back muscles, deep abdominals, pelvic floor, diaphragm and glutes.
If our core is weak, our upper body is not supported, the spine can start to hunch, affecting our gait and how we move.
Pilates is based on putting ourselves into unstable postures and challenging our bodies to stabilise these positions by moving our limbs. Adding equipment, such as a softball, fitball, weighted balls or foam roller will challenge our stability even more.
Sessions focusing on core stabilty to aid our balance can be complemented with stretching to reduce muscle tension and help with movement.
All the muscles of the core are strengthened, thereby improving control and alignment. Good core stability enables good posture, which will be reflected in the way we walk, play and work.
Fitball size guide. It is important to choose the right fitball for your height to get the most out of your Pilates practice.
- Height 5ft to 5ft 4" choose a 55cm fitball
- Height 5ft 4" to 6ft choose a 65cm fitball
- Height 6ft to 6ft 5" choose a 75cm fitball
For more help with selecting the right fitball for you please email me.
"Pilates is designed to give you suppleness, natural grace and skill that will be unmistakably reflected in the way you walk, in the way you play and the way you work."
Joseph Pilates