GIVE PILATES A GO!

Pro surfers, instructors and novices alike are falling for the many charms of Pilates… Here’s a quote from Nat Fox; fellow Surfgirl and yoga addict:

“This is my second surf and Pilates week ¬† I must confess last time I was rather lax on the Pilates front.¬† Therefore, this week, I am determined to be a star pupil, attend every class and work my abs, buns and tum without uttering a letter of complaint.

And my determination is working ‚Äì because I‚Äôm actually enjoying it!¬† It‚Äôs hard, not only the getting up at 8am, but the subtle movements and muscle work that really penetrate into that inner body structure we call ‚Äúthe core‚Äù.¬† But I can actually feel different layers of muscle working when I want them to, and that I‚Äôm developing some sort of control over parts of my body.”

Well I can inform you all that Nat’s enthusiasm lasted all week and she is now Pilates Queen as well as a Yoga Bunny!

Try including the following in your pre-surf warm up routine;

Single Leg Lowers

Start by bending the knees into the chest before curling the head and chest away from the mat.

Straighten both legs up to the sky before taking the hands behind the right calf and lowering the left leg down 30 degrees from the mat.¬† (Don’t pull yourself up with your arms – use your tummy!)

Continue to switch the legs past each other in the air, lifting the legs alternately to the arms.  Try to keep exhaling on every other exchange.

The shoulders should stay relaxed throughout and no twisting from side to side.

Tip!: Avoid looking up Рit will strain the neck.  Keep your eyes down on your centre and if necessary clasp the hands behind the head to relieve the neck.

This is a great exercise to lengthen the hamstrings and strengthen the abdominals while opening up your spine.

 

Visit my blog at swandivepilates.blogspot.com to view details of our next Surf Sistas trip to Hossegor.

 

 

Tags: Nat Fox, Pilates, Surf Sistas