13. New Thoughts Thursday

First New Thought:

Second Pilates session today. Imagine such a strong core that everything above it simply sits on top of it...the core does all the work. Head, neck, shoulders, arms, chest, upper back, mid-back, lower back, just relax--NO leaning, no slumping, no twisting, no clenching, no straining--simply resting there in perfect posture, while your core does all the work!


Of course one needs a strong core, or the wrong areas try to take over its work.  Whew, new concept!

Even newer for me...actually isolating the function of all these muscles in an awareness of each one and what it does (or shouldn't be doing!)

Second New Thought:

This thought is actually a few days old, but fits in with Thought #1 today. One day years ago, a co-worker came up to my trainer, Donna, and said, "You greet everyone with your chest!" Then she demonstrated how she perceived Donna walked, by proceeding to walk while leaning forward, slanted from the waist up.

Even an ever-so-slight lean forward, not only ruins your posture, but puts the work of walking onto the wrong muscles and can (will) hurt your back. She then told Donna to concentrate on her glute muscles doing the work of bringing each leg forward when she walks. When you concentrate on your walking coming from your glutes, suddenly your back straightens up.

I see this tying in to Thought #1--back and upper body positioned straight and simply sitting on the core (working) and the movement coming from the glutes (working!)  Your back is free and unharmed!

Third New Thought:

My son, Matt, had several friends participate in Chicago's "Urbanathlon" this year.  Now he is planning to train this coming year to join them in the event next year! 


I had never heard of it, but evidently they run a course through Chicago, completing challenges--obstacles set up at Navy Pier, DuSable Harbor, Soldier Field (the Bear's stadium) and McCormick Place.  http://www.menshealthurbanathlon.com/obstacles.cfm

Yeah Matt!  Go for it!