Winter Term Update
With the dawning realisation that we are hurtling towards another Christmas, I thought it was about time we touched base with the wider studio36 audience.
INCLUDES: TOP TIP 'WHERE IS MY HEAD?', INSPIRATIONAL STORY FROM BERGEN, NORWAY AND HOLIDAY DATES!
As the days get shorter and darker, the best thing we can do for our immune system (and sanity) is to keep moving!*
We have done just that in the studio, with so many of you relishing returning to the studio space over the last few months (and enduring the eyeball scrutiny when you have no place to hide!)
* and eat healthy stuff like soup
* and light the fire
* and go to cinema. BELFAST is coming out in January!
The continuity of access to Zoom classes has been extremely popular, and especially valuable this term as we have had a fair few clients unable to attend due to themselves/kids/close contacts etc succumbing to covid, or a rotten cold, or even unable to lift arms after being double jabbed! Prioritising flexibility, we aim to offer hybrid (live streamed studio classes) for a wee while yet, but are keen to encourage clients to return to 'live' studio classes as much as possible!
Although current clients will get priority there are still some places available in studio classes, please get in touch if keen to get going in 2022!
See current schedule here.
Give us a shout @ STUDIO36 to check availability.
WHERE IS MY HEAD?..(OR 'ARE YOU GIVING YOUR BODY ITS BEST CHANCE TO MOVE EFFICIENTLY?')
I have just listened to and really enjoyed a podcast that I can TOTALLY relate to. It was Helen Hall talking to Rangan Chattergy about the secret of painfree running and walking. See link here. Beautifully describes the importance of stacking up your containers/body parts to optimise efficient movement throughout the body.
It is virtually impossible to move well with a head forward posture. (Reminder - head weighs at least 5kg/11lbs) When your head is off its perch there are so many muscles trying to hang on. It fundamentally changes movement throughout the body.
Try this:
Adopt a stance with a dropped head forward position and slump down a little. Try these movements;
rotate/turn your neck
rotate your ribcage/thoracic spine
raise your arms forward
raise your arms to the side.
walk a few steps forward...
NOW...reorganise your containers to stand up straight and place your head back on its perch..repeat the movements and observe the difference.
You should hopefully have much more access to full range of neck, spine and shoulder movements when you rearrange your head on top of the ribcage. When we walk we should twist/rotate our spine and arms and legs. (Every movement we do involves some rotation). It only take a small adjustment of head forwards posture to block a lot of this rotation. That blockage has an impact on other parts of our body. Hips, knees, shoulders. They have to do more. Plus consider how this slumped posture effects your breathing and even digestion/organ function?
Do you swing your arms when you walk? (you should!)
Are you carrying a phone/water bottle?
Are you texting when you walk?
Are you walking with a dog on a lead?
Are you carrying a coffee? These unilateral habits have a effect on the fluidity of movement through the body that can quite easily manifest itself as pain/strain.
Sometimes we have limitations due to surgery, injury or bony deformity, but POSTURE IS IMPORTANT. Try to lengthen and align your body as best you can. Practising Pilates can really help you achieve range of motion and strength to sustain a position. GET YOUR HEAD ON ITS PERCH. It will help not just your neck and shoulders, but improve movement efficiency, breathing, internal organ function and flow right to your feet!!
Now... your feet...thats ANOTHER topic! Don't get me started!!
INSPIRING STORY FROM BERGEN, NORWAY...
I was on a trip recently with my husband to see my son who is studying in Bergen. Beautiful place and a hikers paradise. Day 3 we went on a fairly challenging hike, the first part of which was a hugely challenging series of stone steps that went on for EVER!! Sandvikspielen if you ever want to try it. So, Jack says, Mum, don't worry if you are overtaken by small children or older people. I think, I'm pretty fit, done Cairnwood a few times, surely not...??
Half way up, legs wrecked, wee bit puffed, I am overtaken by a lady of more senior years. Flipsake.
Catch up with her eventually and start chatting. She was called Banta, does this climb not once, but TWICE a day, her record is 800 times a year.
Eventually ask her age. 75 years. UNBELIEVABLE. It was HARD!! She and l had a great blether about the virtues of squats, stair climbing, hips/knees etc!! Boy was l impressed. Just phenomenal. And maybe a tiny bit nuts...
NB: IF A BEGINNER TO PILATES OR COMING BACK AFTER A BREAK, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH IF KEEN TO BOOK IN TO MAT/REFORMER CLASSES IN STUDIO OR ZOOM. WE WILL TRY GET YOU SORTED. See current schedule here.
REGULAR CLIENTS WILL RECEIVE INFO RE NEW TERM SHORTLY...
HOLIDAYS:
We are closing for Christmas Holidays end of Friday 17th December and back in studio Monday 10th January. Good long break for everyone, including teachers, big thank you to Anita and Stephanie who have consistently adapted brilliantly to a new way of working. Hugely appreciated.
DON'T FORGET WE HAVE GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS PRESSIES! CHRISTMAS SPARKLY DECORATIONS UP NEXT WEEK!
Ali x