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What do you do to stay fit John – do you run, do yoga or Pilates or what?” a friend and client asked me. I told him I start most mornings with a few minutes of yoga and a short walk. I enjoy (ok, I need) the flexibility and strengthening this provides.
“But David, my favorite exercise, and the one I am most consistent with, is what I call ‘Pioneer Pilates’. This is where I turn my work on our little property into my own personal gym – you know (and he does know, as he once owned a ranch and enjoys outside work today) – the digging, lifting, pushing and pulling of yard work, gardening, shed building, etc., all under Mother Nature’s loving eye can’t help but keep you fit.”
Maintaining better posture, moving more while sitting less, and getting sun are keys to better health. Standing tall and keeping the head and chest up requires new muscle patterns which will strengthen and groove in over time.
Letting gravity be your work-out tool means you can “exercise” anywhere, anytime. The trick is to allow yourself time to change. All good things really do take time. Maintain mindful movement with an upright posture then get off gravity with a brief lay down/nap or reclined stretch-sitting (I will cover this another time). Move, rest and repeat.
Some of the main Pioneer Pilates moves are one-hand carries (from a purse to a paint bucket) and lifting and lowering of an object. Squatting is probably the single most important movement for increasing whole body strength and endurance.
All of these require proper bracing of the ‘inner corset’. To engage these muscles, stand tall and reach high with one hand then the other. You will feel a tightening/ bracing through the stomach muscles as your core activates. Repeating these moves often through the day will support the spine and pelvis in its challenging role to provide stability with movement.
Dr. Huntington practices Chiropractic, Biomedical Acupuncture and Physiotherapy in Oracle, Az. 520-896-9844 huntingtonchiro@hotmail.com.
John Huntington is a local business owner in Oracle. He is a chiropractor with many years in the community. He writes a health related article in Pinal Nugget.
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