The “core” is scientifically called the lumbopelvic-hip complex (LPHC). It’s everything our head, arms and legs attach too, the torso or trunk of the body. Most often its acts as a stabiliser and force transfer, yet people focus on training it in isolation as a prime mover, with exercises like sit-ups, crunches, and planks. If […]
Category archives: Exercise Hacks
Why Sitting Too Much Causes Stiff Hips and Back Pain
Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration but it’s probably contributing your ability to move well by reducing your range of motion. When you think about squatting, what comes to mind? The burn from your last gym session? Struggling to pick up your dropped keys? Or using a lavatory in tropical climes? Did you know that squatting […]
Does Core Strength Help Back Pain? The Myth Explained
Back pain is often attributed to a weak core, particularly in fitness culture and popular health advice. Strengthen your abs. Stabilise your spine. Fix the problem. It sounds logical. But research over the past two decades shows that core-strengthening exercises are no more effective than many other forms of exercise for back pain. That doesn’t […]
The Relaxation Response
A variety of techniques can help our nervous system back into balance. The relaxation response is one of the simplest because it works like a braking system to brings our body and mind back into a state of equilibrium.
Movement matters, 5 exercise hacks for standing and balance
Proper alignment can help your body move in a way that’s efficient and intelligent, it can reduce the risk of injury and prevent wear and tear on joints. Standing well has other benefits too, our respiratory and digestive systems are more efficient when the body is aligned, and we can appear more confident. This simple […]
Walking, are you getting the real benefits?
I was recounting a story in one of my classes recently about a man complaining about his struggle to find a parking space after a stressful drive to his “lovely health club”, where he jumped on a treadmill and walked for 30 minutes before driving home! Mmm, I know his part of the metropolis is […]
5 Simple Exercises That Help Low Back Pain
As an osteopath and Pilates teacher movement is always the first and most important goal I consider in my treatment plan. We need to get blood and other body fluids moving to naturally lengthen, contract and relax muscles. With the simple aim to create strong, flexible bodies and building resilience for everyday activities.Supporting people to […]
Delayed onset muscle soreness, explained.
Delayed-onset muscle soreness or DOMS is exercise-related muscle pain, which often peaks a day or two after the event. It is known as muscle fever, a beautiful exotic explanation to describe the distinctive muscle pain and soreness that nearly everyone experiences after intense or unfamiliar exercise. Muscle fever is a meaningful term because DOMS makes […]
Movement matters: Exercise hacks for neck and shoulder tension
Movement matters are the blog sections dedicated to getting you moving. Exercise hacks (*) are 5 -10 minutes offerings of simple home movement or ‘exercise’. Taken from my toolbox of somatic movement, osteopathic practice, Pilates exercise repertoire, personal and clients favourites. * Life hacks refer to shortcut or methods that increase productivity and efficiency, our […]
Feet, friend or foe?
Our feet are one of the hardest working parts of the body and under constant stress. It’s easy to take them for granted, they hang around at the end of our legs, trying to adapt to being jammed into a pretty but often ill-fitting shoe or being smothered inside socks and trainers. They may take […]
5 Pilates exercises for hips, knees and ankles
Movement matters are the blog section dedicated to getting you moving. Exercise hacks (*) are 5 – 10 minutes offerings of simple home movement or ‘exercise’. Taken from my toolbox of somatic movement, osteopathic practice, Pilates exercise repertoire, personal and clients favourites. * Life hacks refer to shortcut or methods that increase productivity and efficiency, […]
Stretching: Does it increase flexibility?
My regular pilates clients know that I am not a fan of static stretching unless there is a particular issue that needs managing. I um and ah about this in class, as it’s not part of the Pilates repertoire, and we can work on muscle length and range of motion during a well-balanced Pilates session […]
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Do you leak a little urine when you cough laugh or sneeze? Half of the women over the age of 50 with experience some symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, with 1 in 10 women by the age of 80 undergoing surgery. Worryingly, about a third of these women will need more than one operation. A […]
Breathe to relax, the health benefits of deep breathing
Slow deep breathing is a simple, yet powerful, relaxation technique to quiet the mind. It’s easy to learn and can be practised almost anywhere and provides a quick way to get your stress levels in check.