thinking of starting

RE: thinking of starting

Spinal Music/Sharon, are you there? 🙂

RE: thinking of starting

I am a firm believer that sensible exercise is always positive for dis-ease and is highly theraputic in most cases- think of it as rehabilitation for the body. I cannot comment from a professional angle on the suitability of Pilates for your condition, but I can say that Yoga would definately beneficial.

As for losing weight- I really don't know why people mystify losing weight, it's simple: eat less and do more exercise! The answer to your question is yes, Pilates will help you lose weight if combined with healthy eating and an increased activity level! Simple as.

Hope that helps:D

RE: thinking of starting

Just googled for more information- here's what I found:

Pilates based exercises may prevent further development of scoliotic asymmetries in isolation and dynamic movements and can enhance symmetry and are designed to promote more desired spinal mechanics.

An excellent form of exercise to minimize pain and breathing difficulties due to scoliosis in adults is Pilates
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RE: thinking of starting

Pilates is great for the posture and although you may not actually lose weight, it will strengthen your core muscles and elongate the body, giving a slimmer appearance.

Make sure you get a good instructor, with not too many people in the class, or if you can, have a few one to one sessions.

Azalia

it's simple: eat less and do more exercise!

- actually, for many of us, it's not that simple. I have spent most of my life watching what I eat and exercising (I used to go to the gym up to six times a week), but for some of us the weight just doesn't fall off. Now, I'm older, have a back and joint problems and because of my work, am not able to exercise as much (although still more than many people I know), the weight is piling on again.

Lesley

RE: thinking of starting

Lesley,

As far as I know, it would be unusual for somebody not to be able sustain a healthy weight if they are balancing their intake of energy with the energy they are using through general activity and exercise- unless of course there is a metabolic condition to take into consideration. Basically, if you take in more energy than you use, you put on weight, if it's balanced, you sustain, and if you take in less than you need, you lose weight.

Of course, what I meant when I said:

I really don't know why people mystify losing weight, it's simple: eat less and do more exercise!

is that there's loads of "new" diets that claim to be the best way to lose weight through loads of weird and wonderful ways- drinking coconut milk, cabbage soup, not eating after 7pm etc, whereas in my opinion the best way to do it is (and this is the shortened version) to eat a healthy diet low in unsaturated fats and high in fibre, balancing carbs &protein and eating plenty of fresh fruit and veg. It doesn't take rocket science- eating a healthy balanced diet is more reliable than trying some new diet fad which works solely on reducing calorie intake.

As for the emotional aspect of excess weight, I can speak from experience. I wholly agree with this:

losing weight/not smoking is easy, it's only your mind that convinces you otherwise. If you're going to smoke or be overweight, you've got to do an awful lot of things- go to the shops, buy cigarettes, carry lighters, spend your money, constantly be replacing them .... whereas if you're not going to smoke, all you have to do, is not smoke! So don't convince yourself that it's easier to smoke, or eat that chocolate. It's not! It's much easier just not to!

-Wayne Dyer.

I have spent years trying to overcome eating disorders of varying kinds, and have tied my mind in knots with trying to figure out how to sort my head out..until I read that. Then I realised that it really is simple. It's not necessarily easy, but it's simple. It works for me!

RE: thinking of starting

Pilates - and scoliosis. Yes - I have several clients with considerable scolioses and they do improve. It's not just the classes - it's also the awareness they gain from the instructor which they can put into their daily lives. Make sure you get a good instructor - you should have 12 or less in a class, and you should get plenty of personal attention.
I've done a short course on Pilates and scoliosis myself - but most of it is common sense to a good instructor.
As for the weight - sorry, not really. You can work up a sweat in an advanced class, but in most beginners classesyou won't burn an awful lot of calories. Your shape will change though as you find your core muscles, and you will probably grow in height - I'm an inch taller than 5 years ago.
If I can help you anymore, PM me,
Sharonx