Body Basics Newsletter

Hot Body Basic

Hello. I trust July finds you all well and not suffering too much from the heat if that can be possible!!! Keep up the liquids and minerals, especially salt and potassium. Lack of the last two can cause headaches.

HOT BODY BASIC

Last month we were looking at posture and how this can take inches off by just holding the body correctly. We looked at the positon of the pelvis and how to get it in a balanced position for balanced muscle usage. If you didn’t get this newsletter go to pilates-exercise-and-equipment.com/posture.html.

Continuing on from that we are going to look at how the upper body should sit on top of that neutral pelvis. (neutral in Pilates means even and balanced)

Getting that upper body tall and lifted can slice off what looks like inches.

This means drawing the deep abdominals towards the spine, lengthening the spine up from the pelvis and having your breastbone directly over the top of your pubic bone.

Ok , time to stand up and stand how you normally do. You find the breastbone area where the ribs meet in front. You know they curve up to a point.

Look down. Is your breastbone behind that pubic bone or in front of it. Or just stand sideways to the mirror. You can see if that breastbone sits behind or in front. You have either got to bring it forward or drop it back. This area out of balance creates a curved or compressed spine behind.

Then the head sits straight on top of the shoulders without the chin jutting out but having a feeling of pulling that chin slightly towards the base of the neck behind.

Okay now what about the legs underneath that pelvis? Well the legs need not to be turned outwards too much or turned in too much and that really depends on neutral pelvis. Also the knee feet and pelvis need to be all aligned up. The bony headlights on the front of the pelvis ( those two points of bone on the front of your pelvis - even if you have padding you can press in and feel them), line up with the middle of the knee and that aligns up with the space between your first and second toe. Just back from the toes.

Alright now, put that all together. Neutral pelvis, get the upper body directly on top with the breastbone over the pubic bone, get the head back so the ear lobes sit directly over the shoulders. Relax those shoulders, let them drop down in the direction of the pockets of your jeans.

Okay now get the feet, knees and pelvis below all in one line. Good now lift up from the feet through to the crown of your head. Not your shoulders though, they need to drop down. Two way pull.

There is your crash course on how to look slimmer. Go over my directions a few times, make sure you completely understand all the words and then practise it. Daily.

Go for it. You will need this and the last newsletter.

Success from one of my mat class clients

I am having a lot of wins. I feel much stronger and flexible. I always feel really good after class. I can’t believe how different it is when you have a really good teacher. I want to get to the point where my body knows what to do on command, without me really having to concentrate on keeping it all right. Sometimes things go out and I get frustrated over that. (Note from me: This client is actually doing extremely well and making excellent progress. What she is going through on the concentration is something you should and do go through and come out the other end of)

Classes and Free Introductory Classes

You can attend my mat classes if you live in or near Tujunga, Los Angeles. They are on Wednesday nights at 7pm and Sat morning at 8.45am. An Intermediate class will be starting in the near future.

For these classes you can attend a free introductory class to find out the basics of Pilates. In fact I prefer anyone joining my classes to do this free class to get the basics.

I will be having 2 introductory classes in August. Monday August 14th at 7pm and Sat August 19th at 10am. I ask you let me know if you are coming to one of these .My contact for these classes and any information or questions you have is : LouiseForscher@sbcglobal.net or call me 818-775-9548

I also work out of a studio in Woodland Hills and come to your house for privates or group classes. So if you want to Pilate and you live in LA, give me a call.

Hope this helps Yours Louise Forscher