Where do I go from here? This is the most common question asked by anyone who had been doing Pilates for a while. You might have taken 1 on 1 session for some reasons like chronic pain or for just for general health and fitness. Or you might have been taking group lessons and had a change in work schedule, which makes it hard for you to join your regular group classes. Northern Beaches physio aim is to relieve your pain, return movement to maximal function and prevent the problem recurring.
Although it might seem rather intimidating to embark on a D.I.Y Pilates program on our own, it is actually quite a fulfilling journey. And once you get into the hang of it, it is both easy and simple. You are taking over the responsibility of looking after your own health and fitness. As long as you are committed and serious about your program, you can see significant results from this D.I.Y program.
Here are 3 tips to get you started:
1.Get a Pilates Professional
But you are not alone on your D.I.Y journey. You can seek the help of a qualified Pilates instructor to assist you on your program plan. There are a number of Pilates studios that offer this service for a small fee. Always make sure you are familiar with the machine set up safety rules and apply proper form and technique before starting your program. If in doubt, seek the help of a Pilates professional. Ask questions to make certain you understand your program and the routines. You can also compliment your program with mat exercises at home. There are some very good DVDs you can purchase that will help you at home. Just check that it is appropriate for your level.
2.Compliment With Machine
Most people prefer Pilates mat exercises over the reformer because it offers more versatility and flexibility. And since most people don’t have the equipment at home because it takes up too much room and is expensive to purchase, the ultimate choice is still the mat. With a mat, you can pull it out and perform the exercises whenever it is convenient for you, without having to step out of the house. However, there are certain limitations to doing mat exercise. No matter how you take mat exercises, you are merely working with the weight of your body. You need resistance to challenge muscular strength and endurance. This resistance must be more than your body weight. And we definitely do not intend to increase our body weight just for the sake of taking up this challenge. Hence, mat exercise does not offer significant improvement in these areas.
3.Claim Ownership of Your Health
When you start on a DIY Pilates program, you start learning seriously how to do them on your own. You increase your knowledge and understanding of both your body and the exercises that are needed to challenge it. As you improve your skills and your ability to perform the routines with ease and confidence, you are reaping the results of your program. You and your body become more connected and more intelligent.
There is a strong awareness. What you learnt through this DIY journey stays on. Your DIY program is not restricted to just this program. It can be modified, add on and changes made to suit your increase strength and stamina to challenge up at a different level.
How many times have you not stepped into class, thinking of work, chores to be done, kids at home and more? It is hard to switch off but doing DIY Pilates on your own, changes that. You are forced to take charge of your program and your health.
There are more great reasons on what DIY Pilates program can give you if you take up the challenge. But that is for you to go find out. Once you embark on this journey, you will wonder why you had not thought of doing it sooner. Because it works!
