VeryWendy's Blog

If you’re into fitness, you’ve probably heard a lot of talk about the Core.  Most of us probably don’t realize why it’s important, other than wanting to have ripped abs to show off poolside.  The core is actually defined as the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex and includes 29 muscles, the cervical and thoracic spine.  It’s basically your trunk muscles, everything between your chest and your pelvis.  Half of the muscles there are used for stabilization and half are used for movement.  Stabilizing the spine is the critical to prevent injuries and allows for the greatest range of motion in your joints.  All movements are initiated from the core.  It’s your body’s center of gravity and foundation to movement. 

Joseph Pilates, the founder of Pilates exercise, has said that you can determine your age, not by how long you have lived, but how flexible your spine is.  Core movements and flexibility go hand in hand.  As we age, we lose flexibility in our joints which limits our range of motion.  That’s why it is so critical to incorporate flexibility and stretch into your fitness program.

I will be teaching Hard Core Strength & Flexibility as an 8 week small group training program at the Boston Sports Club in Wellesley, MA  beginning on Thursdays, July 30th at 7:30 PM and Fridays, July 31st at 10:30 AM.   In this class, you will learn the basics of diaphragmatic breathing, core concepts and exercises, Pilates flow and stretch. 

If you are in the Wellesley area, please join me for a complimentary demo class on Thursday, July 23rd at 7:30 PM and Friday, July 24th at 10:30 AM.  

If you are not local, make sure to sign up for my blog updates as I will regularly make posts of our progress in class.

As you finish reading this post, take a deep breath in and draw your navel to your spine.  Hold this position as often as you can throughout the day.  This is just the beginning of core work, but it’s a good place to start!   And if you are sitting at a desk all day, make sure to get up and stretch every hour or so to loosen up your shoulders, hips and low back.

In good health,

Wendy