I don’t often spend much
time in my car anymore, for which I am truly grateful. I think that long commutes are in the running
for most pernicious health threat because, unlike, say, fast food, there really
aren’t a lot of alternatives available for those of us who work far from where
we live. Last week, I did spend a bunch
of hours driving and my body really let me know. Fortunately, there is Pilates.
When we are stuck in the
same position for long periods of time, our joints and muscles get mad. We can try shifting around in our seats or
using various props to make things more comfortable—I have a lacrosse ball and
a point-pressing duck in my car to help me survive—but eventually the
discomfort wins.
Pilates to the
rescue! Because Pilates works to elongate
our spines, it helps undo the damage of all that sitting. We gain flexibility through Pilates
exercises, releasing the tension of stillness.
Our joints remember how good it feels to move through a full range of
motion. And, of course, it is never bad
to focus on the breath.
Sometimes we want Pilates
to push us and to challenge us, but we can remember that it also exists to heal
and nourish us.
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