Think of it this way: Your Frontal Ribs and Abdominals are good friends.  Your abdominal cavity attaches onto the the ribs.

Kris, Pilates of Charleston client demonstrates incorrect and correct versions of rib cage connection to abdominals. Notice how the top picture illustrates “popped” ribs.

Pilates Principle!

Fact! If you can breathe using your Ribs and Lungs to breathe while you perform your Pilates exercises at Pilates of Charleston, your abdominals will be more fully engaged and your body will be able to sustain the Pilates exercise for a much longer period of time.

But! It is important to know that finding your rib cage and abdominal connection is just as beneficial not only when you’re lying on your back, but when you are in plank, sitting, standing, weight lifting, stretching or just living your daily life!

Kris, a really wonderful client of Pilates of Charleston shows us another common Pilates exercise to show you how fundamental it is for you to understand and educate yourself in finding your neutral rib cage position.

Shoulder Bridge: Notice how Kris is emphasizing the lower back curve in the bottom picture, in comparison to her finding her rib cage and abdominal connection in the top image which is the correct version of this Pilates exercise.

Make sure you sign up for class below so that your Pilates and Fitness Instructors at Pilates of Charleston can keep you and your body checking in on those small details that could change the way you workout anywhere!

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Technique Tip Tuesday is here again!

This week is all about the Lunge.  At Pilates of Charleston, we as your Pilates and Fitness Instructors are on a continuing mission to keep you and your basics in perfect form! The Lunge forms part of the basic fundamental movements in fitness.

So.  Why do we Lunge?  – Simple answer: It trains the biggest part of your leg,  The Quadriceps and Hamstrings. It trains your stabilizers. Stabilizers = Balance. Balance is necessary for everyday walking. Period.  Its as simple as that.

There are many different kinds of lunges. Forward Lunges; backward lunges; and sideward lunges. For the most part Forward and Backward Lunges have the same form and technique tips apart from the obvious that either you are stepping forward or backwards in space.  Side Lunges has a slightly different approach – but more on the side lunge at a later date.

Lets take a look at Lunge form in the photo below.

One of our Favorite Private clients’ Lyn,  was kind enough to allow us, at Pilates of Charleston to use her magnificent body to demonstrate the correct and incorrect form for a Lunge.  (Lyn is standing on a Pilates reformer at Pilates of Charleston.  Please note: standing on the reformer to demonstrate the Lunge is for the sole purpose of this image only.)

REMEMBER! Your body weight should be equally distributed through both legs in a forward or backward Lunge.

If you are still feeling slightly insecure about your lunge, or any other fundamental fitness exercise, feel free to catch any one of our Pilates and Fitness instructors at the studio before or after class to ask your questions at no charge at all!  We want you to feel confident when you work out.

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