Just returned from my first trip to Kinespirit at their Madison Park location. And I have only good things to say. At Kinespirit, you can take pilates, but I took a Gyrokinesis class.
It is similar to Pilates in control, breath, range of motion and balance. Unlike (some) Pilates, there is a flow so you keep moving (seriously) the whole time. Takes a good amount of coordination and mind-body awareness - and is ultimately really fun. Lots of circling and moving through a neutral (or fully extended back) and a tucked under position. Gyrotonic is done on a tower, while in Gyrokinesis you are working on a stool and a mat.
Great front desk, beautiful studio and seemingly nice clientele. I took Tuesday's 12:30 open Gryokinesis class. Unfortunately I forget the teachers name - but she was great.
This is my first Gyro class and I loved it - it sneaks up on your how difficult it really is. It feels like a combination of Yoga and Pilates in a way that doesn't make sense until you do it.
Definitely check out Kinespirit!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
NYTimes Article about the Abs
Just a quick reaction to this article. I think overall it's right to say that just strengthening your abs with reckless abandon (no pun intended) isn't the way to a healthy back. What it doesn't go into is the different positions your pelvis and spine should be in to promote healthy backs.
Many with herniated disks and other back problems should NEVER tuck their pelvis to do ab work. When many of us do sit-ups, our spine is flexed at the top (when you bring your head, neck and shoulders off the ground) as well as the bottom, meaning your back is flat against the ground and your pelvis is tucked under. This works your Rectus Abdomnis (the 6-pack muscle), which is all fine and good, but continued ab work in this position will not work for people with back issues (there are always exceptions to the rule on this, so work with your pilates instructor or physical therapist to find out what's right for you).
A Neutral positioning of the pelvis is a much better position for BOTH ab strengthening as well back strengthening. This allows the spine to stay in the right position (which will protect your back) while you are working the abs (most specifically the Transverse Abdominus).
Link to article: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/core-myths/?em
Many with herniated disks and other back problems should NEVER tuck their pelvis to do ab work. When many of us do sit-ups, our spine is flexed at the top (when you bring your head, neck and shoulders off the ground) as well as the bottom, meaning your back is flat against the ground and your pelvis is tucked under. This works your Rectus Abdomnis (the 6-pack muscle), which is all fine and good, but continued ab work in this position will not work for people with back issues (there are always exceptions to the rule on this, so work with your pilates instructor or physical therapist to find out what's right for you).
A Neutral positioning of the pelvis is a much better position for BOTH ab strengthening as well back strengthening. This allows the spine to stay in the right position (which will protect your back) while you are working the abs (most specifically the Transverse Abdominus).
Link to article: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/core-myths/?em
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