CORE!

Here I am at 33, a year before I got married, did a Yoga photo shoot, looking firm and lean, but with curves :) Did you know that in order to walk tall, our core is automatically engaged?  What is core? That has been the hot word in the fitness industry for over a decade.  The word CORE can stand for so many things, there is the earth, and there is the rock of the family, etc.  I decided to look it up in the thesaurus:

Definition:	center, gist
Synonyms:	amount, base, basis, body, bottom line, bulk, burden, consequence, corpus, crux, essence, focus, foundation, heart, import, importance, kernel, main idea, mass, meat and potatoes, meat*, middle, midpoint, midst, nitty gritty, nub, nucleus, origin, pith, pivot, purport, quick, root, significance, staple, substance, thrust, upshot, These are fun!

I am specifically referring to the core we use during walking, standing, and any physical activity.  There is a specific set of exercises that target the core called Pilates.  You can read more about the background here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilates.  There are exercises that you can do on special machines, and you can also just use a mat on the floor.  Some people just use their body weight and positioning, others use props such as balls, bands, and weights.  I teach a Mat Pilates class that is very different than my Yoga.  It is still a mind/body exercise, so everyone is clearing their mind and focusing on their breath and their form.  The difference is that in Yoga you go with the flow and really find where your body feels good and wants you to be, in Pilates, without the right form you can really hurt your back.  Yes, form and alignment are important in Yoga as well, but to be in tune where you body needs to be in the moment is the main goal.

I bring the Core focus into every class I teach, I feel it is the basis for everything.  For women the Kegel exercises, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kegel_exercise, are very important, especially after babies and as we age.  During core exercises you are activating your Pelvic Floor, for ladies it is the Kegel exercises, and for gentlemen it is the Perineum that needs to be activated.  Anyone that wants to learn how or talk in detail, please message me for more info.

In our abdominal area, its not just the surface that we need to work out.  Your Transverse Abdominis, your Pelvic Floor, and your Obliques all need to be strengthened and focused on during specific workouts.  Sit ups only work out a small part of your upper abdominals,and will not get you that six pack unless you do two other things.  First of all focusing on each part of the abdominals separately in your workouts, and honestly its 80% Nutrition.  All the sit ups in the world will not take out that extra layer of fat on top, and when you work out and build on top of that layer, that is what looks bulky.

I am so excited, I am starting my Tuesday and Thursday 10:30am Hot Mama Power Walk and Nutrition Group today!  It's Free to support mom's in our community, and to share and workout together.  Please spread the word, I want to meet, inspire, and be inspired by mom's from all walks of life.

Get Outside, Soak in the Sunshine, Put a Skip in your Step,

Living that Healthy Active Lifestyle, Please Join me :)

Coach Yulia