Should You Try Pilates Walking?

Marc Lindsay
byMarc Lindsay
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Should You Try Pilates Walking?

PracticingPilatescan be a great way toimprove strength and flexibility. What makes Pilates interesting is its emphasis on postural alignment,core strengthandbalance— and these basic principles can be incorporated into many other forms of exercise.

Sincewalking最好的方法是你可以吗jumpstart your fitnessand improve your health, it makes sense that combining Pilates with aregular walking routinecould help you reap the benefits of both forms of exercise.

WHAT IS PILATES WALKING?

Whether you want to increase your distance, pick up the pace or justavoid injury, improving your technique is crucial. Pilates walking does so byfocusing on proper postureand drawing awareness to make sureyour coreandglutesare engaged. In addition to these physical benefits, Pilates walking also supports the mental side that can help you feel better andimprove mood, thanks to an emphasis onbreathwork.

HOW TO PRACTICE PILATES WALKING

Incorporating Pilates into your current walking routine is easier than you might think. Practice these basic principles of Pilates walking to get started:

1

CONCENTRATE ON YOUR PLUMB LINE

Staying connected from your head to your feet is at the center of Pilates technique. To do so correctly you’ll need to:

  • Focus on keeping your ears above your shoulders and your chin level. Look up as you walk instead of tilting your head down to look at the ground.
  • Keep your shoulders in line with your hips, avoiding the tendency to let your upper body tilt forward while you walk.
  • Maintain a neutral pelvis, avoiding anterior or posterior pelvic tilt.
  • 辊作为哟ur foot hits the ground, striking with the heel and rolling your foot to the toes to push off.
2

CONTROL YOUR BREATHING

Relaxing and getting rid of tension can also improve your walking technique. Incorporate Pilatesbreathing techniquesby inhaling through the nose. Expand your lungs by concentrating on the lateral movement of the rib cage. Exhale through the mouth with a long, slow breath, focusing on squeezing the air out of your lungs in a fluid movement.

3

STAND TALL

很难控制下滑即使你知道啊f it. While you walk, focus on elongating your torso. Imagine you have a balloon string stretching straight from your tailbone along your spine through the base of your neck.

4

CONTRACT YOUR CORE

As you walk, practice pulling your stomach up and in. This contracts your core muscles, helping to stabilize your lower back and hips while improving your overall walking form.

5

GET YOUR GLUTES GOING

Followinglong periods of sitting, it’s a good idea to activate your glutes before you exercise. One way to do this is to do a few Pilates exercises that can wake up these muscles prior to your walking workout. Givethese movesa try before you head out for your next walk.

About the Author

Marc Lindsay
Marc Lindsay

Marcis a freelance writer based in Scottsdale, Arizona. He holds a master’s degree in writing from Portland State University and is a certified physical therapy assistant. An avid cyclist and runner of over 20 years, Marc contributes toLAVA, CompetitorandPhoenix Outdoormagazines. He is the former cycling editor for Active.com.

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