Good morning!

Yes… awake before the sun rises on a Saturday morning is just nuts…that feeling of wanting to enjoy the weekend and not let it slip by in a slumber is what sometimes doesn’t allow the body and mind to stay in bed!

And … it’s my birthday … yes …… Happy Birthday to me!

So … Week Five has just flown by, hasn’t it? We always get excited at the start of a new term here at the studio. The notebooks come out, the training manuals are consulted and the next five weeks of our Pilates and Yoga classes are plotted and planned.

Pilates Galway

We are now completely settled back into the routine of work and school, just in time for the Halloween break!

Over the next few weeks (of the new term) we are going to continue on with work on your spine. This week, we thought we would give you a little more information on the muscles we are coaxing into compliance.

Muscles are named, for the most part, according to their shape and location. They are also categorised according to function such as flexion, extension, or rotation.

Muscles and ligaments work together to support the spine, holding your body upright, and control movement during rest and activity.

 

Types of Vertebral Muscles General Location
Forward flexors Anterior
Lateral flexors Lateral
Rotators Lateral
Extensors Posterior

Skeletal muscle has a striped appearance. It is easily stimulated (under voluntary control) and has the fastest contraction rate of all muscle. Prior to a muscle contracting, a nerve impulse originates in the brain and travels through the spinal cord to the muscle.

Energy is needed for the muscle to work. Mitochondria (cellular level) produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is a chemical cells need for energy. ATP is produced as the mitochondria burn glucose (sugar). Blood vessels deliver the oxygen and nutrients the mitochondria needs to provide a steady supply of ATP.

Now you are wondering why do you need to know all this? Spinal health is crazy important lads and girls. If  we want to live long, lean and healthy lives, with grace and strength in our movements, then taking care of our spine must be a priority.

Let’s just have a look shall we?

SPine Pilates Galway

 

Muscles of the Posterior Cervical and Upper Thoracic Spine
1. Semispinalis Capitus (head rotation/pulls backward)
2. Iliocostalis Cervicis (extends cervical vertebrae)
3. Longissimus Cervicus (extends cervical vertebrae)
4. Longissimus Capitus (head rotation/pulls backward)
5. Longissimus Thoracis (extension/lateral flexion vertebral column, rib rotation)
6. Iliocostalis Thoracis (extension/lateral flexion vertebral column, rib rotation)
7. Semispinalis Thoracis (extends/rotates vertebral column)

So – as we work on Extension and Rotation (which we just did this week) I want to remind you to please, go back to last weeks video and make sure you are doing these exercises at home, and then take a look at this weeks video to continue on with the exercises.

This will help prepare your body for next weeks session!

 

 

Coming in to the studio once or twice a week is good for your mind and your body. We are working hard to help you reach your goals, to help you build strength and regain confidence (which is sometimes lost due to injury and pain). We like to help you progress gently in the right direction, making sure you have a strong functioning spine and your limbs are working comfortably and efficiently.

Now … time to enjoy the weekend!

See you at the studio.

Sara x