Tight hips? Sore back and neck? I hear these complaints over and over again. The first questions that I ask is “What do you do for work?” Almost inevitably, the answer is a job that involves sitting for most of the day, either at a desk or in a vehicle. Not surprisingly, (to me, at least!) many health professionals recommend that you try Pilates if you work sitting down.
This is because when you sit for long periods of time looking down at your desk or even your phone, your posture can become slouched and rounded forward. Our hip flexors are in a shortened position as we sit, becoming weaker and tighter over time. In fact, the whole back side of the body loses strength and flexibility, leading to pain and muscle tension.
When you practice Pilates, you are using your full body during every workout, lengthening and strengthening those short, tight muscles. By focusing on symmetry and alignment as you work your body in all directions, you become more aware of your posture. Working on lengthening your body engages the core and creates more space for your organs, especially the lungs. This encourages deeper breathing. Ahh, release the tension! All of this flexing, extending, rotating and bending loosens tight muscles while strengthening them, and instills good habits for when you return to your desk.
Despite its reputation as a core workout, Pilates is so much more! It is a thoughtful balance of strengthening, stretching, and mobilizing. A great example of this is in the exercise called The Hundred. Yes, it works your core (which is great for posture!), but it is also about connecting your thighs together, creating length through your legs and spine, and relaxing your breath. There are so many muscles are being used in this one move, and are all ones that you need to focus on if you are experiencing pain from your desk job.
One of my favourite things about Pilates is when it gives me an “aha!” moment during the day. I’ll catch myself slouching a bit on a long drive, and will sit up taller. Or I’ll slip and catch my balance, and then thank Pilates for helping. Once you try Pilates if you work sitting down, you will soon be thanking it as well, for helping you feel better and happier because you have less pain.
Are you ready to ditch your desk-pain? Let’s find a class that works for you.