An imaginary vertical line running straight from the top of your head down through your body, passing through key mid points between ears, shoulders, hips, knees and the ankles. The line represents optimal alignment, where the body is balanced and all parts are stacked correctly, allowing for efficient movement and minimal strain on joints and muscles, promoting proper posture.

Your core is the group of muscles that stabilises and supports your spine and pelvis. The group of muscles plays a crucial role in almost every movement you make. They include your abdominals, obliques, erector spine, multifidus, quadratus lumborum, hip flexors, glutes, pelvic floor muscles and diaphragm - all working together as your "core".

Pilates was invented by a man, initially for male inmates at a prisoner of war camp to keep them fit. Pilates can be an excellent way for men to build strength, flexibility and core stability. To treat the body as a whole instead of individual muscle groups. It can help men improve their posture and reduce the risk of injury. Many male professional athletes and teams have introduced Pilates into their training rooms for all of the above reasons.

Unfortunately there is no exercise that can actually change the length of the muscles in your body. What Pilates does change and improve is your posture, flexibility and muscle tone. This will lead to the appearance of longer leaner muscles. When we stand taller and move more gracefully we create the impression of elongated muscles and a healthy, toned appearance.

For every inch the head moves forward, the weight of the head effectively increases. The average head weighs approx 11 pounds in a neutral position. With FHP it can feel like 30 pounds or more to the spine. This misalignment significantly impacts the spine, particularly the cervical and thoracic regions. it places uneven pressure on the discs in the cervical spine. Over time this can cause disc degeneration or bulging.

Sitting for prolonged periods of time can have such a negative impact of your body, including weakening of leg and gluteal muscles, shortening and weakening of the hip flexors, compression in the discs in your spine, stiff neck and shoulders. Stand up, get your spine in line, stretch and keep moving. Focus on your posture whether sitting or standing. If you work in an office and are interested in my corporate classes please contact me for more information.