Work With Focus and Control
By Gina Jackson
You cannot make it happen, you can "let it happen." Whether you want to do it with the Teaser, the Roll Up, a spine extension exercise or a simple push up, it needs to be done with focus, control, breath and concentrated work, coordinating your mind and body to move your muscle.
Simple steps for Focused Control
Exercise for mind/body control and integration requires a) eyes open, b) focused attention to engage the muscle, c) breath and d) concentration on control of the movement of your body to complete the action of any intended exercise. The work is then accomplished by repeating those mental and physical steps for the allotted repetitions for each exercise.
When mind/body coordination is called for, one must allow the mind/body connections to be made. Don't force it. Never "muscle it." You cannot "make it" happen with momentum.
But relax to "let it" happen by firing up the muscle, consciously engaging the mind, the fibers of the muscle and breathing to control the movement of the body.
Yes, it is probably easier to say than it is to do in the beginning, yet, by finding the grace, fluidity and control of the movements of your body you will work harder by working out in a more integrated fashion. Pilates, afterall, is not a performance, trophy-awarding discipline. It's practice is a conscious, disciplined approach to understanding and moving the body. With that perspective, it is actually more a way of living in your body than working out with it.
Thus, these principles are keys to the work.
Gina Jackson, MBA, CPT, holds Advanced PFT recognition as a member of the International Association of Fitness Professionals (IDEA); maintains affiliate membership in the National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) and is certified as a Power Pilates Teacher and a proud Business Member of the Pilates Method Alliance.
Gina made a conscious career and lifestyle change to fitness in 2000 and assists clients in lifestyle fitness training programs using her knowledge and experience with strength and resistance as well as classical Pilates training. She operates a Private Pilates Studio in New Jersey and provides provide fitness resources, tips, articles and MP3 downloads designed to assist many in Pilates-focused training at http://www.Pilates4Fitness.com
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