From the Inside Out: Core Strength & Posture

This little cartoon presents an interesting picture doesn't it? Amazing that after millions of years of evolution, our structures might be seen to be "de-volving" instead of evolving. With all our modern technological inventions, and the time we spend sitting to enjoy them, our bodies are less and less able to manage daily functional tasks with ease and efficiency.

On Alive! Bodies in Motion on July 22, I had a great conversation with Marie-Jose Blom, master Pilates educator, where we talked about how important it is to develop and maintain good core strength and posture. Important not just for the obvious aesthetic appeal, but for our overall health and wellbeing. People so often confuse "cut" abdominal muscles for core strength - and that couldn't be further from the truth! Our core is made up of 4 very specific structures (transverse abdomial muscle - deep layer of the abdominal wall or "corset"; the multifidus muscles - deep "anti-gravity" spinal muscles or "the spinal zipper"; the pelvic floor and the respiratory diaphragm.) which need to be trained in a particular way. You cannot simply "crunch" your way to great core stability! In fact, Marie Jose has replaced the term "working out" with what she figures is a more apt description of what has to happen to train the core..."working in!"

And no matter whether you are looking at core stability or posture, breath always has to be a part of the equation. The respiratory diaphragm is as much a postural muscle as it is a respiratory muscle. When good ventilatory function is impaired somehow - then posture, respiration and movement function are impaired as well! Marie Jose postulates that due to the nature of the deep core - muscles that are required to work at a low level ALL the time - they could in fact be classified as aerobic muscles. So we're back to breathing again - breath is the platform upon which posture, core abilities and functional movement rest.

Marie Jose recommended a great book for anyone interested in postural information. I often recommend it to my clients as well. "The New Rules of Posture: How to Sit, Stand, and Move in the Modern World" by Mary Bond. It's worth a look!

Click here to hear the full interview!