Regular Pilates classes can help unlock tension after spending a long time on your phone or laptop. Pilates helps “un-crunch” the upper body by focusing on alignment and decompression through four key areas:
• Fixing “Tech Neck”: Pilates retrains neck muscles to support the weight of your head, bringing your head back into alignment and making it more comfortable without straining your upper trapezius muscles.
• Shoulder Stability: Instead of allowing your shoulders to hike up toward your ears, in regular Pilates practice you learn to glide the shoulder blades down and back. This strengthens your mid-back so your shoulders sit naturally, wide and relaxed.
• Thoracic Mobility: Desk work can make the upper back stiff. Pilates uses extension and rotation exercises to mobilise your spine, preventing your neck and lower back from overcompensating and possibly leading to pain.
• Core Foundation: By accessing your abdominals and other core muscles through regular Pilates practice, you build a strong “powerhouse” which provides a stable base. You will find when your core is active, your upper body, neck and shoulder muscles, will relax.
The result of regular practice is a more open posture with deeper breathing and significantly less chronic tension, creating a taller, stronger you.
Find out more about Gerry’s Pilates one-to-one or small group mat classes here: