Scoliosis

What is it? Do you have it? What can you do?
Here are two pictures I got off of the Internet that shows you the two different types of Scoliosis one can have. The picture to your left is a C curve and the picture to the right is an S curve. You can have these curves at different parts of the spine and you can also have them at different degrees of curve.

I will start with the question what is it? Scoliosis is simply the "curvature of the spine." What happens is that the vertebra's are actually turn. So those little poky parts on the spine are facing one direction or the other, this causes a ton of compression and discomfort in your back.

Do you have it? We all have some degree of curve. This is because of everyday habit, crossing your legs, leaning to one side, etc. This goes into explaining that there are two types of Scoliosis, one is Functional, and the other Structural. First, Functional- this type of Scoliosis, is from "habit" or everyday function. I see functional scoliosis among the hairdressers. This is from leaning over to wash hair, cutting, and blow drying. The good thing is that with the right stretches and exercises it can be kept from getting any worse.

Structural- means you were born with it. You may have found yourself at the doctors office at about 13 years old. This is about the time that it really starts to show up. Through the years, it can get worse and you may have to wear a brace. It is important to do stretches and toning, so that while it's getting worse you can slow down the processes.

There is a lady by the name of Kathy Corey, who has Scoliosis herself and has done a ton of Pilates work with herself, she has said, and has done X-Rays, that show her structual scoliosis has decreased in degree of curve! Isn't that is amazing?! I had the honor of taking a class with her on the subject at the last Pilates Convention. She is getting doctors behind her to support Pilates work for Scoliosis.

What can you do about it? Well, if you have it, you should find out, is it functional or structural, by going to a doctor- Either way you wan to start taking care of it ASAP. Bodies only start to break down as we get older, so the sooner you treat it, the more likely you will stand upright when you are 80 years old.

This is a common issue that us Pilates trainers deal with. Pilates is great for scoliosis, because we balance out both sides of the body, particularly the back, we stretch the side that needs to be stretched and we tone the side that needs to be toned. This would be a ideal for doing the Injury plan that I offer. Working with only your scoliosis.

For me this is exciting to work with- When I was in high school was the first time I heard about Scoliosis. I have it to some degree, due to my leg length issue. While at UCI I learned more about it, and then while getting Certified in Pilates, I learned how to work with it. It can get really overwhelming and confusing, but if you stick the to fundamentals and not think too much about the whole anatomy of it, you can get tons of relief and hopefully, stop the curving from getting worse.

I think the first time that I finally understood and put all the pieces together was when I went to a Human Body Exhibit. I got to see an actual spine that had it. What happens is that the vertebra's are actually turned. So the Spinous process, those little poky parts on your spine, are facing one direction or the other, this causes a ton of compression and discomfort. So, if you are in pain due to it, if when you lay down "straight" you feel like you are in a C curve or and S curve, you want to give Pilates a try.

Commitment

Most people steer away from this word, but today I'm asking you to face it head on. You come and visit my site for either of these reasons, 1) you are killing down time. 2) You want to know more about Pilates. 3) you are seeking help for various physical issues. 4) you love me and wonder what I'm going to post about next :) I am hoping that out of all those reasons your main one is about Pilates.
I was going to wait three weeks to talk about this subject, since it takes three weeks to either make a new habit or break your commitment to that " New years physical fitness goal". I've been thinking about why the three week mark... in my opinion I think the three week mark, is the fact that 1) you can't see the BIG result 2) your body is slowly changing, but had you given it three more weeks you would have seen where you could have gone. Whenever I give my clients their new 6 week plan, they moan and groan because it's hard! The body is shocked out of what it just got use too and mastered, and most of us don't like change. How do we get over this hill? Well, you have to face it head on and get past these three weeks.
Here's my idea on how to keep it going for all of 2010!.

• Write a commitment sentence and put it where you can see it every day. Either on your bathroom mirror, refrigerator, or if you have a phone, you can write it as a ongoing appointment that you read everyday. Your commitment sentence should say:

I ___________________ am committing myself to ( physical fitness goal) twice a week from (your start date) to ( only put three months out).

Why three months out? Because by three months this should be habit and then you are going to bump it up to more often during the week (you write out three times a week, or four times a week). So every three months you make a new commitment to yourself. If you want to change your physical goal, go for it. Maybe your first three months you want to work on walking, then abs, or walking and abs. You have ENDLESS possibilities on how you want to obtain your physical goal.

• Positive talk- I want you to write out one positive in the present tense sentence. It can be as simple as I AM Doing it! I always feel great when I workout. My Abs are Rock hard! Those jeans look great on me!

Repeat this sentence to your self for the WHOLE year! You want to write it, think it, and say it everyday.

• Get a journal. Write down either, food, what physical activity you've done, new goals. Something that you have to come back to, that will help you get back on track when you slip from your goal.
• Think simple! There are many ways to get to these goals. One way, it get out more, take a walk, find small time frames that you are sitting there, and do a couple bicep curls, or heel raises. You could join a gym ( I will turn the other cheek) or you can get a personal trainer, like myself :) to help you stay on your goal.
• It doesn't always have to be about weight either- It could be just getting out of stress, getting yourself active again, or just feeling good about you-

I know you can do it! And remember all things are possible!

January News letter

I will someway find out how to just have my newsletter on the site, so that you don't have to download it... For now, here it is you can download and read...

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GET BACK TO WORK!

That's how I felt this morning. Even though,I did work a little over Noah's vacation, it was still hard to get up this morning. Before, I start blogging back to good 'ol Pilates and fitness, which I am sure, you have already set your 2010 fitness goals, maybe some of you don't mind be gabbing about how the two weeks went by so fast and what Noah and I did together, and if you read along you can see the Christmas gifts that I did for my family :)

One of the first things Noah and I did together was go downtown and see Christmas in the Park. We do this every year, but Noah was especially into it this year, and they had WAY more rides than years past. So, he was very into those too- This is about the only time he will take me by the hand. He is still hold my hand, but you know.... he's growing up and doesn't want any P.D.A.

Something else was was exciting at about Christmas in the park, was the some of the rides where from Michael Jackson's ranch. It was so cute, Noah kept asking me if I was going to go on the ride with him, but being at the end of my 7th month of pregnancy , I had to turn him down. Very sweet though- We made cookies for Santa.. That was fun

Here are scarves that I made for my mom, my sister and my three sister-in- laws...

And the Calendars that I made for my Dad, my father-in-law, my mother-in-law, my brother and Peter... I had Noah sign his name on the front of them and signed them, "Noah #6" At school he is #6, so on everything he puts Noah #6.

Here are Peter's sisters wearing their scarves...

The gram cracker house I made for my brother, Bill. I did this totally on my own, no directions. Noah helped by eating the leftovers :)

Here is my sister-in-law, Jen, my sister Heather, and my mom... Best thing ever, Jen pulled hers out and said, "WOW you made this! I didn't know you knew how to do something like this!"
On New Years, we went over to some friends of Peter's and his Mom. It was the lowest key thing Peter and I ever have done...Except for 6 years ago when I was pregnant with Noah.. LOL Here is Noah ready for the count down to 2010!

I have TONS of Photos with me and Peter kissing! I LOVE it :)

And in case you were wondering what I looked like at 33 weeks pregnant- Here you have it... Could I possibly get any bigger.... oh Lord, help me lol....

Be thinking about your 2010 Fitness goals. In the next blog we will talk about staying committed to them, how to not give up after 3 weeks and how you can carry it out past 2011.