RE: Stretching, Pilates and yoga

[Guest guest]

Pilates is great for developing core strength — i.e., all the muscles near the body’s center. Suz is right, it’s not much of a strength work out for the outer limbs. I’m a former dancer and lots of injured dancers turn to Pilates during rehab to rebuild and develop good habits of body use. Very good for back injuries, IMO.

I’ve been doing yoga for 29 years and everything everyone said in previous posts was true, even the contradictory stuff. The bottom line for both yoga and Pilates (as well as weight training, dance, any physical activity): know and respect your teacher. The teacher makes all the difference. Personally, I like Ashtanga yoga. Walford also practices Ashtanga. Dave, as a Boulderite, you’ve got one of the great teachers in your backyard, Freeman at The Yoga Center.

Dixie

[Guest guest]

Further clarification: Shop for a teacher until you find one who *deserves*

respect. For example, my Pilates instructor has a degree in kinesiology, and

knows body mechanics inside and out. He's genuinely interested in his

students' well-being. I also look for teachers (yoga and otherwise) who

don't have a big ego.

Bottom line: no one knows your body like you do. Give yourself permission to

sit out any questionable poses or exercises.

Here's to strength and flexibility in body and mind!

on 9/19/02 1:21 PM, at

wrote:

> Message: 23

> Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2002 13:06:17 -0700

> From: " Micky Snir " <mickys@...>

> Subject: RE: RE: Stretching, Pilates and yoga

>

> I agree Dixie, but I must change the wording you used so it is clear:

> The teacher makes all the difference. Find a good teacher, and then know

> and respect your teacher.

>

> See what happened to Suz. Her teacher sure made a " difference " to her

> hamstrings.