Movement Snacks
MOVEMENT SNACKS - the little and often things that give long term results...
Think about your stride length. Take the opportunity to lengthen your stride a bit when out walking. It tends to shorten as we age and become less confident with balance. But we can work on that, practice on the beach and see if can increase it. Opens up your hips a lot. And swing those arms! Unless you're drinking coffee. (But try not too as arm swing is really useful)
Change direction. Change your route when you take a walk. Seems silly but always repeating the same walk allows your joints and muscles to adapt to the terrain and gradient. Variety and diversity is what your body benefits from. Just like food!! Dr Rangan Chatterjee's recent podcast on Food to Beat Disease is long but worth a listen!
Throw a few squats waiting for your kettle to boil or practice sitting down and getting up again on the loo. Same thing.
Balance on one leg. Could try while waiting for your lateral flow results! Add in a few baby knee bends.
Calf pumps: rise up onto toes 25 times if can ...keep legs together. Calf muscles are like a second heart - vital for circulation of blood.
Four point kneel Cat Stretch, Hinge and Thread the Needle while cleaning under sofa..
Press ups against the kitchen work surface or a wall. Only reason you don't do this in the studio is because of the precious mirrors!
Reach into really high or really low cupboards. Hard to reach stuff is ok - try not to make things too easy for yourself.
CLIMB STAIRS! If not get a big step in your house and practice lifting and lowering yourself.
Treat yourself to a Spine Curl (or a Bridge). After nearly 25 years teaching Pilates, it's still hard to beat that amazing exercise.