Extract from The Pilates Journal
By Kimberly Garlick
How common it is to hear a non-Pilates practicing person say something like ‘Oh yes I want to start Pilates so I can have a good stretch’. Hmm, such a sentence may have grated on me a few years ago until I began to embrace that the lack of awareness of what Pilates offers can be a wonderful conversational opener. Sure we incorporate a lot of stretch and if that is what someone feels they need.
Does Pilates improve flexibility? Yes. Does a Pilates session include stretching of all forms? Yes. But will stretching alone improve the sensation of tightness or lack of movement and availability to perform in long-range? No. Sometimes one may need some stiffness in one place to create better flexibility. Oh this topic can open up a magnificent can of worms.
So let’s define what it means to stretch; It is to be made or capable of making longer without breaking or tearing.
In Pilates quite often we think stretch is the answer for most situations, but is it?
When we think of stretch, terms that come to mind are Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Dynamic, Ballistic, isometric and Static. Good old terminology we have referred to for as long as I can remember. All of these forms mentioned have a decent purpose and role and are quite often happening in Pilates without intentionally doing so.
To continue reading, please refer to The Pilates Journal.
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About the Author
Kimberley Garlick is the Director of Northern Rivers Pilates in Lismore, Australia. She is also a Certified Polestar Studio/Rehab Practitioner and Educator/Mentor for Polestar International since 2003.
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