SurfGirl Magazine - Womens and Girls Surfing, Surf Fashion, Surf News, Surf Videos » Amy Swanson http://www.surfgirlmag.com Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:57:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 GIVE PILATES A GO! http://www.surfgirlmag.com/2010/07/08/a-testimonial-from-a-dedicated-follower/ http://www.surfgirlmag.com/2010/07/08/a-testimonial-from-a-dedicated-follower/#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:28:58 +0000 Amy Swanson http://www.surfgirlmag.com/?p=12285

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 ‚Δμ because I‚Δτm actually enjoying it!¬† It‚Δτs 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 ‚Δϊthe core‚Δω.¬† But I can actually feel different layers of muscle working when I want them to, and that I‚Δτm 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.

 

 

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I hardly think this last Surf Sistas trip could have been any better… perfect waves all week for both beginners and intermediates, beautiful accommodation and suntans all round!¬† And of course I’m super impressed with all the Sistas’ Pilates skills.¬† With every trip we do and every girl we help [...]]]>

I hardly think this last Surf Sistas trip could have been any better… perfect waves all week for both beginners and intermediates, beautiful accommodation and suntans all round!¬† And of course I’m super impressed with all the Sistas’ Pilates skills.¬† With every trip we do and every girl we help learn to surf,¬† I in turn,¬† learn more about how best to apply Pilates to surfing with the most efficient outcome – better wave riding.¬† There is no doubt that Pilates helps with surfing but the many levels and different angles one can take continues to impress me.¬† Every group of girls brings a different dynamic, a different approach to movement and each individual has their own physiological boundaries to overcome.¬† This week was no different. The great thing about week long trips for me is that I really get to know everyone’s bodies, how they move & what’s not working for them in the water.¬† I can tailor their Pilates to their individual needs so its really relevant to improving their surfing.¬† The morning sessions are dedicated to warming up muscles, practicing movement patterns that will be used in surfing and getting the mind and body connected.¬† After a days surfing we have a sunset session, a beautiful way to unwind and loosen up with a stretch as the sun goes down.¬† We can also take this opportunity to digest how the day’s surfing has gone and what we need to work on physically to progress further.

Post-surf beach chat

Morocco has so much to offer and we wind down the day with a hammam, a dip in the pool and a beer or two in the bedouin tent….¬† If you think this sounds up your street check out my blog for upcoming trips and tips on keeping surf-fit http://swandivepilates.blogspot.com/ plus you can follow us on facebook too¬† http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Surf-Sistas-Morocco-Boutique-Surf-Camps-for-Girls/121586291533?ref=ts¬† The Pool

 

 

 

 

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