Anyone do Pilates?

[Blueberry]

My neck has good days and bad days. I have to warm it up. I also have to really focus on the powerhouse - when I don't, my neck is quite painful. Seems like when my form gets bad, my neck hurts.

CA

[tulip]

I've found it very helpful to concentrate on looking at my bellybutton while doing the exercises that (used to) strain my neck. Try focusing on your bellybutton (NOT the ceiling!) for the hundred, roll-up, rolling-like-a-ball, open-leg rocker, neck-pull, teaser, and seal. Since I haven't taken classes in a while, I'm not doing the more advanced exercises.

Looking at your bellybutton forces you to round your neck and upper back, whereas looking at the ceiling results in a cantilever effect with your head, which is very heavy!

[emily_in_nc]

I've found it very helpful to concentrate on looking at my bellybutton while doing the exercises that (used to) strain my neck. Try focusing on your bellybutton (NOT the ceiling!) for the hundred, roll-up, rolling-like-a-ball, open-leg rocker, neck-pull, teaser, and seal. Since I haven't taken classes in a while, I'm not doing the more advanced exercises.

Looking at your bellybutton forces you to round your neck and upper back, whereas looking at the ceiling results in a cantilever effect with your head, which is very heavy!

Thanks for the tip, tulip! I do fine on the roll-up, rolling-like-a-ball, teaser, and the others you mention I'm not famliar with (or our instructor calls them something different), but the hundred gets me every time. I believe I'm looking at my legs to get the angle right (I don't think I'm looking at the ceiling), but I'll try looking at my belly button next time!