This month we are looking at your pelvic floor muscles… “Know Them, Find Them,Work Them”……………click on the link for your FREE download from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy…..

Pelvic_floor_v5

Written by Heather Crossthwaite, Chartered Physiotherapist MCSP

Get out and about wellness this month…

Mind body and spirit

If you’re looking for a wellness event full of holistic help, therapies, exhibitions and advice, look no further than the Mind, Body, Spirit Festival 2011.  Running from the 11^th to the 13^th November in London, tickets are reasonably priced at £8.

Can’t make London, don’t worry, visit their website to find lots of information and inspiration at your fingertips.. http://www.mindbodyspirit.co.uk/ … sign up to their FREE newsletter and browse their online shop too…

Love your food??? The BBC Good Food Show Winter Exhibition is coming to the NEC Birmingham on the 23^rd to 27th November… meet the chefs, shop and visit local producers for local seasonal produce… visit http://www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com/home for inspiration and advice… Bon appetite !!

If you can’t get out and about take a look at the Zest website…  www.zest.co.uk  its full of helpful advice on health, fitness, beauty, eating well, etc, etc, etc,   including a live web clinic every Wednesday lunchtime… stick it on your ‘favourites’ list…

Listening to your soul…

Dorothy Bradley will be hosting a day of ‘Listening to the Whispers of your Soul’  See here for more details…

Keep happy and healthy… Heather x

Hannah is 27 weeks pregnant, so nearly at the end of her second trimester.  She is demonstrating various pre natal Pilates moves using various equipment we have in the studio.

BOSU

The Bosu is a very versatile piece of equipment.  It can be used for support whilst you lie semi-seated and also to prop yourself up when performing side lying movements.

Springboard

Using the Springboard and an inclinded back support we can perform many exercises in semi-sitting that are not possible whilst lying on the floor.  After about 16 weeks it is inadvisable to lie flat whilst exercising.  However, using the Springboard and back support we can deliver a safe and effective workout.

The Springboard is also wonderful when used in standing and sitting and there are a wide variety of exercises that can be performed…

Pilates Power Gym

The Pilates Power Gym is a small and compact piece of Pilates equipment that is perfect for all mum-to-be’s!  Its gliding board can be elevated so you are lifted and supported throughout every trimester of your pregnancy.  There are no worries about being led flat on your back – it can be adjusted to suit you perfectly.  For your workout comfort there are a wide variety of positions you can use the Pilates Power Gym – seated, standing, on all 4′s and side, lying… There’s a position for everyone!

Pilates Chair

Often called the ‘Wunda Chair’ , it is a  box (or frame depending on model) with a padded seat, a foot pedal, and has 2 to 4 springs attached for a variety of resistance. Pilates developed over 50 exercises for his Chair. You can sit, stand, kneel, or lie on this multipurpose apparatus, developing upper body strength, stabilizing the torso and performing a number of lower body and feet exercises.  We can use all positions (except the lying position!) to exercise your whole body!