(Food-Beverage-News.Com, November 13, 2012 ) Victoria, Australia- While Pilates has grown into one of the more noticed health trends over the last two decades, the elderly are finding new hope in the fight against aging from the physical endeavor. According to many, the physical effects of aging, postural distortion, stiffness, and aches can all be reduced through the various exercises.
Three people recently visited the TR Pilates Studio is Takarazuka to experience the supposed positive effects associated with the workout regimen.
Hisae Yamamoto, 62, Miyoko Kitaoka, 55, and Mikiko Kataoka all attended beginners’ sessions taught by certified instructor Nobuko Aso.
Aso said that pilates adapts the principles of medical and scientific knowledge of the anatomy. "[Pilates] shakes up muscles that support the skeleton and joints but aren't used often. It also develops the body's axis," Aso told the three students before beginning the session. "It aims to naturally correct postural distortion and misalignment caused by lifestyle habits."
Kataoka asked of the benefits the exercises had for the elderly, to which Aso replied “"It stabilizes the pelvis and reinforces the ability to balance, which can prevent falls and injuries that happen more frequently as we get older."
Students began with simple breathing techniques, a core principle of proper pilates training, much as it is with yoga, tai-chi, and other softer forms of exercise.
"Breathe deeply from the lower part of your lungs, projecting toward your back with each breath," Aso told them.
"When I exhaled, I felt like my stomach was tightening," Yamamoto said.
"All right," Aso said. "Flex your muscles as you breathe. Your waist doesn't have many bones and is unstable. Imagine a corset around it."
Aso emphasized retaining proper breathing while utilizing the various motions to create ideal anatomical placement.
"Move your arms around as if you were drawing circles. Try to visualize your shoulder blades brushing against your ribs. You don't move shoulder blades very much in daily life," Aso said. "Tighten the bottom of your back slightly to move up muscles under the pelvis. Make a gentle arc between your backbone, which is too often straight, and your pelvis."
Kitaoka noted that she would never utilizes certain postures and movements in her daily life, stating that she had not previously realized that proper posture came from using every part of her body.
After the group work, it came time for Aso to establish individual attention to the new students. Each student had unique characteristics of posture and skeletal structure that were analyzed by Aso to improve problems.
"The position of your left shoulder is higher than your right shoulder's. The arc from the backbone to the pelvis is missing," Aso told Yamamoto.
Even specific physical desires can be accomplished through Pilates practice. Katoaka said he wished to be able to play tennis without losing his balance so easily.
"When you twist your body to hit the ball, don't rely only on moving your arms,” Aso said. “If you move your shoulder blades along your body axis using your abdominal muscles, you can easily add power to your movements."
After the session Kataoka said "I want to keep training because it will help me stay fit while addressing the needs of an aging body." The two other students agreed with Kataoka.”
About DynamicStability.com.au: DynamicStability.com.au (http://www.dynamicstability.com.au/) provides visitors with information regarding Pilates and other services provided by Dynamic Stability in Melbourne. Learn about improving the body and mind through Pilates, and browse the many services and equipment available, including certified courses at the Dynamic Stability website.
