Pilates and the MELT Technique- Are They for YOU?

Laura Gideon is one of our dynamic Pilates instructors who synergistically blends the teachings of Joseph Pilates, F.M. Alexander Techniques of postural training, and the MELT (Myofascial Energetic Lengthening Technique) method into her exercise therapy sessions. Pilates and Alexander are integrated into a proprietary blend of exercise sequences designed to develop STRENGTH, SYMMETRY, and RANGE of MOTION along with FLEXIBILITY.  The benefits reaped are strong CORE muscle development (abdominals, hips, pelvic floor, back & gluteals), enhanced flexibility, improved posture and muscle balance.  However, all of this cannot be achieved without proper breathing, concentration, focus and flow which are the cornerstones of Pilates. Results may be achieved using floor and/or mat exercises in addition to also using several other pieces of equipment. With the use of a soft foam roller, the Melt method techniques enable your body to be brought back to a more ideal state by directly enhancing body awareness, rehydrating connective tissue, reducing stiffness and pain and decreasing stressors that accumulate from daily living.  Let us know if you want to try out something new, if you haven’t tried it already.

Are You Stacking Your Joints Properly?

Sonja Reese is a Physical Therapist at Goodman Physical Therapy and talks frankly about posture:

We need to have our head and ears over our shoulders, and our shoulders over our hips.  The more the spine or a particular joint does not deviate from the axis it was created, the more movement we have.   For example:  bring your head way forward, exaggerate forward head posture and try turning your head.   Notice how little movement you actually have when you do this…  now bring your head as far back over your shoulders and try turning your head again…notice the increase in motion.

This applies to all joints of the body; and muscles that are stronger and more dominant will pull the joint out of the neutral axis.  Thus, correct posture of all joints and muscle balance is important for maintaining motion and flexibility, and preventing injury. 

Call our office at 310-441-1102 if you’d like to discuss your concerns about posture.  We’d love to hear from you.