SI and Core Strength

Pilates or core work is a good complement to Structural Integration. A strong core allows you to do the movements and chores of daily living.

Many people can benefit from core work – such as office workers, new moms, and athletes.

I discovered that I could do certain yoga poses better after I took up Pilates. I thought I wasn’t flexible enough but it turns out I wasn’t strong enough. I currently practice Pilates at home using on-line resources. I hope to return to an in-person class.

Note that a strong core is not just having 6-pack abs. That can actually be unbalanced and overly contracted in the front body. Look for a balance of strength and extension among the back, obliques, and abs.

In Pilates Digest, Toby Matthews says in an article about these two practices,

They can interact synergistically to create profound change in the body and mind – in how we relate to ourselves and how we relate to the world around us. They both speak to many of the same aspects of living an embodied life: breath, strength, freedom, coordination, intention, and awareness to name a few.

To work on your core, consider trying these resources.

Runner’s World UK has a core strength page with several short videos and a list of core exercises focused on beginners.

Make Use Of’s list of best Pilates channels