Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger
  • ~ Home ~
  • ~ What I Think ~
  • ~ What I See ~
    • Events
    • Food
    • People
    • Places
  • ~ What I Make ~
  • Blog Series
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

Out & About #701 | Sum Pilates Session #3 Recap

3/27/2021

0 Comments

 
There are times when the mind and body do not sync as seamlessly as I would hope. From cooking preparations to cold-proof bread-baking, I rolled into an overcast Saturday morning, mustering consciousness in an attempt to arrange the day's tasks from the comfort of the comforter.

I arrived ten minutes late to class due to poor planning and underestimation of traffic conditions. Volumes were surprisingly heavy in spite of the chilly, bleak conditions, especially traversing northbound along Yonge.
​Bounding into unit 204 with as much grace as one could possibly summon, I apologized for my tardiness and promptly begun to remove my shoes. This time around, I was greeted by all instructors present in the waiting area, beyond my own. The temperature check was forgotten in the process.
Picture
"How are was you feeling?" was inquired with utmost composure, whereafter a brief check of the back and spine alignment was conducted. It was declared, with a hint of surprise, that the tenseness of the lower back had improved significantly; stretching may have aided in relieving the pain and tension resulting from muscle imbalance/selective muscle usage, and was encouraged going forward.

I proceeded through the series of bar-clutching exercises on the Cadillac once again, this time swifter. Imprints and neutral spine terminology grew more familiar, and the body was more likely to adhere upon hearing the keyword(s). That said, the "mind-to-muscle connection" remained weak amidst the flexed foot rollups. From time to time, my gaze was gestured towards one of the mirrors in the room - one that had been stationed strategically for posture checks and to provide visual representations of form when the correct muscles are engaged.
​One additional exercise was added to the tension bar series. Rather than a complete rollup, where the body is hinged at the lower back and travels a total of 90 degrees, the exercise was involved lying on one's back and pulling the tension bar down, pressing the shoulders into the platform while maintaining straight arms. Although a minimal range of movement, the action promoted mobility and rectification of rounded shoulders with slight help from gravity.
Picture
We then moved onto the Reformer for abdominal exercises and a revisited a few for inner thighs from the previous week. Prior to commencing these exercises, I expressed a desire to recreate one of the particular sequences from the previous week, as the movement, while minimal in rep count, had been highly successful in engaging my comparatively weaker inner thigh to point of soreness.
A familiar physio exercise was demonstrated on the nearby Barrel, with options for home practice on stairs, yoga blocks, and a resistance band looped about the foot. Rotating the ankle was also advised for building strength, and the slower the better. "Control" is the name of the game for pilates.
On the Reformer with a partially deflated ball tucked beneath the knees, the tabletop positioned was maintained while the knees were extended out slightly, then pulled back to 90 degrees. While my breathing steps were correct, I was informed that the deep core muscles were not being engaged. The extension of the knees further would require strength, strength that I hadn't been aware I was missing in my two years of self-taught practice. This feedback was eye-opening, to say in the least, prompting the desire for proper engagement of the muscles. Given my existing knowledge of pilates terms and movements, I perceived potential for further development and improved technique. It was as if the scene from a RPG game had surfaced into 3D: a new path was set aglow with the acquisition of new knowledge, lined with stepping stones representing undefeated stages. In terms of arm positioning, hands were permitted to rest at my sides this time instead of holding the hundreds position.
Picture
Picture
​I was informed that, when the deep core muscles are properly engaged, the pelvic triangle shall remain flat, with mild pulses to be felt about the pelvic bones on each side. This new detail, while highly descriptive, was yet near impossible to imagine and a struggle to summon via vague comprehension only. Practice is required.
Moving onto the Ladder Barrel, I was provided a bar to hold above the head. With palms facing away from the body, I was instructed to hold the bar as if with the intention of snapping it in half. Knees bent, an Earthquake-resembling routine was performed. And you bet that I shook more than just with normal Earthquakes.

We ended with a stretch on the Cadillac once again. This time, the legs were placed against the supporting pillars rather than about the platform. This enabled a deeper stretch in both the back and hamstrings.
Picture
Class terminated on time, and I couldn't help but feel remorse towards the ten-minute period that slithered me past as a result of inadequate preparations. I vowed to attain punctuality for the next session, and was reminded of the date change while signing the tracker.

Afterthoughts
  • Many issues arise due to poor biomechanics, and recognizing these imperfections at an early stage serves to prevent physical complications later in life.
  • Pilates as a core-dominant practice holds tremendous truth and is not to be taken lightly. Breathing techniques, though addressed in countless home workout tutorials, is equally as critical as the point of one's gaze and positioning of adjacement muscles and limbs.
  • "Breathe in to stay here." acts as the reset button.​
Picture
​Another Brown Sugar Oolong Milk Tea w/ 2J was secured via Ritual before returning to the west end for a Congee Queen pickup.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Who Am I?

    Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics.



    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    Categories

    All
    Ahgabond Adventures
    Ahgase
    Arctic Aquarium
    Atlantic Canada 2018
    Barrie
    Beauty
    Birthday Buddy
    Chinese New Year
    Conquering COVID 19
    Daily Randoms
    Eyes On You World Tour 2018
    Food
    Friends
    Hallyucon
    Hamilton
    Hong Kong
    Iron Ring
    J Movie
    K Drama
    K-Drama
    Korean Beauty
    K Pop
    Los Angeles 2017
    Macau
    New York 2018
    Ottawa 2019
    Pilates
    Random Rant
    Restaurant Review
    Seoul
    Shopping
    SSMC
    Taiwan
    Vacation
    Vancouver 2013
    Vancouver 2014
    Vancouver 2015
    Vancouver 2016
    Vancouver 2020
    Vancouver 2022


    trazy.com

    RSS Feed


WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky =  a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things



Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

Contact ME

​Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now
© Quirky Aesthetics. All rights reserved. Last modified: August 10, 2015.