Classical Pilates for Modern Life
(Harmonious Pilates, Inc. original publication)
by Joanna Telacka
Classical Pilates Teacher
Ā Business Owner
Triathlete
November 9th, 2023
Shining light on Pilates truths, honoringĀ Joseph Pilates,
and supporting you in your Pilates journey.Ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Don't do THIS to your neck/head
InĀ the picture to the left, the chin is pointed towards the chest and the neck muscles areĀ elongated.
In the picture to the right, the chin is pointed upwards, and the back of the neck muscles are shortened.
Let's Try a Little Experiment...
Try to find theĀ correct andĀ incorrect position of the neck in theĀ pictures below. Look carefully at the last set. You can see my eyes. Can you tell what I'm looking at?
Ā
So What Do You Think?
The correct form is shown in the pictures on the left, while the not-so-correct form is in the pictures on the right.
Notice in the last set of pictures: when my neck is positioned incorrectly, my chin is pointing upwards, and I'm looking at my knees.
When my neck is in the correct position, I'm looking at my tummy, which keeps the back of my neck elongated and decompressed.
Remember, oftentimes, where the eyes go, the head follows. Realizing what we're looking at when performing exercises can help correct misalignment of the head and neck.
Some Words From Joseph Pilates
Ā "Never slouch, as doing so compresses the lungs, overcrowds other vital organs, rounds the back, and throws you off balance created by poising the weight of Ā your body on the balls of your feet."
My Two Cents
Next time, or the first time you do Pilates exercises, pay attention to where your head and neck are positionedāboth when youāre stationary and when you're moving.
When you make the correction, youāll feel the difference. You may notice that your abdominal muscles contract, leaving you feeling aligned and centered.
The elongation and decompression that occur in your neck will lead to lasting improvements in neck health and posture.
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Sincerely,
Joanna š
