Pilates - just a beginner but can feel a benefit already.

Decided I'd better begin a new thread rather than divert the "Waist matters.." one.

I fractured T7 & T8 late last year - supposedly healed, but nowhere near perfect. (This is evident while going about my daily activities and unfortunately I've discovered that it's uncomfortable to cycle any great distance due to jarring through the handlebars-arms-to spine.) I recently purchased the book "Pilates Anatomy - A Comprehensive Guide" as I need to strengthen my core muscles and protect my spine from further injury and have embarked on my Pilates adventure by going through the basics section and am up to the stretches section.

Before beginning these I had the opinion that I was fairly flexible for my 51 years - not so it seems. The hamstring stretch was the first in the stretch section and seemed fairly straight forward, however I discovered that I could hardly straighten my knee and certainly couldn't flex any further than at a right angle to my other leg (while prone on the floor)! That was day 1. Five days of practice has improved my flexibility and I'm finding it easier and can stretch further and it feels good after I've done them! Each day I have introduced another stretch. There are 13 stretches in all. At this rate it's going to take a couple of weeks to get to the beginner exercise section of the book, however I feel I should prepare my body slowly before trying more adventurous exercises.

It's winter time here in Australia and I do my exercises in front of a log fire - so it's quite nice really. I'm hoping that there will be some body sculpting benefits to these exercises in the long term, but my main goal is muscle tone and development of a stronger body.

I've done some research re pilates instructors and there aren't any listed within a reasonable distance from where I live. I've also visited some Pilates forums as a visitor.

PS I've looked up "mulabandha" on the yoga sites and have found it quite easy to do several times a day - it is said that improvement may take 8 weeks or so. (Dr. suggested future surgery may be needed for sagging pelvic floor - no alternatives given and I'm not keen to go under the knife!)

It doesn't bother your back at all?

I'm guessing you were healed without surgery?

I'm afraid of doing pilates/yoga after this - healing from a T-12 fracture that resulted in a spinal fusion and I can feel the screws along my backbone. I might have to get a much-thicker-than-normal mat if I want to try pilates again.

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Originally Posted by jessmarimba

It doesn't bother your back at all?

I'm guessing you were healed without surgery?

I'm afraid of doing pilates/yoga after this - healing from a T-12 fracture that resulted in a spinal fusion and I can feel the screws along my backbone. I might have to get a much-thicker-than-normal mat if I want to try pilates again.

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No surgery. Both fractures were more than 20% and had to heal naturally. I was told it would take up to 8 weeks and the bone would not heal to the pre-fractured form. My physio gave me a light weight exercise program to build up muscle so my spine isn't doing all of the work. I was also instructed on how to engage core muscles during the exercises, day to day activity and when walking. My spine will never be as it was before the fractures and I am very careful how I tackle tasks/exercises. (My core muscles aren't very toned at all - that may have been part of the reason for the fractures in the first place.) So far I've been working my way through the pre-exercise stretches and have found that they haven't caused me any problems. Even in this short time I feel that I can stretch further and easier than when I began. I'm very aware of how my body feels and take it very easy and won't do something that causes any kind of pain in my back.

I'm no expert and a complete novice to Pilates so would not suggest you do any exercise that you haven't been approved to do. Check it out with a professional first.

I'm not familiar with the book you are using, but it's great to hear that you've stuck with it and you're listening to your body and feeling some benefits. Keep it up!