FOR A TIGHTER CORE
LOSE THAT CORD!
"Pilates is here to stay!" says the gorgeous Rachelle Carson-Begley. Rachelle is a former musical theatre actress who is the wife of Ed Begley Jr. and a Pilates studio owner. I met with Rachelle the other day to talk Pilates. She has been training in Pilates since the 80's and has been teaching since 1991. Rachelle found Pilates through an acting teacher. At the time, she needed to rehabilitate her knee and it's been her choice of exercise ever since. Pilates focuses on core strength and spinal alignment while strengthening, stretching and balancing the body. It can be done on a reformer, chair or mat. Sometimes props are used such as rings, bands and spine supporters. Rachelle enjoys teaching during the day where natural sunlight is used. If not, its compact fluorescent bulbs for her. Rachelle mentions how Pilates is more of a creative exercise; however it is "labor intensive". Most exercise deals with working the bigger muscles. In Pilates, you work the smaller muscles that support the skeleton, she says. Pilates trains the body so that all of the core muscles work together to support and stabilize the back. I know when I've been doing Pilates consistently I walk with more confidence, my posture improves and I feel just a bit taller. That's probably why Rachelle walks with such grace and poise. Oh, and by the way, you won't find any water bottles at her studio.
More on Core...every move in life originates from your core. Whether you're lifting your child, participating in a triathlon or just reaching up for something in your cabinet, your strength comes from your core. Without a strong core, you're more likely to suffer from back pain and balance is lost easily. As age creeps upon us, all one thing that we lose is our balance. The better our balance the better we perform. Good balance is an important part of joint health and injury protection.
