​Posture and Core Strength

We all recognise good posture when we see it. The person who stands a little taller and straighter with ease and grace has good posture. Their spine is aligned, their shoulders are wide, resting down on the back (not up by the ears) and their chest is open. Their head moves freely at the top of the spine without tension and they are easy and agile on their feet.
 
Most of us were naturally like this, as happy confident children. We often start to lose our good posture as we take on the cares of adult life and become less active and playful.
 
It is not so obvious to the eye what core strength is. A healthy core goes hand in hand with good posture. Core strength is actually a concept first used by Pilates teachers to describe and explain the synergy of postural muscles and the deepest layer of abdominal muscles that support our torso. In Pilates we work on posture by first activating and training the core muscles. We use the breath to achieve this.
 
The core muscles are connected neurologically to the mechanics of breathing. We can train our core muscles by becoming aware of how they connect to our breath and learning to control and strengthen that connection.
 
Core strength supports good posture like the frame and foundations support a house. The better you build these, the stronger, straighter and longer the house will stand. Pilates gives your body firm foundations, great posture and flexibility with strength. It’s never too late to invest in some Pilates core building work to re-enforce your foundations and improve your posture.