Tag Archives: Lambs Cross

Video 9 – 3 *Posture Foam Roller Exercises, Back Spine Stretch, Shoulder Mobility, Chest Stretch

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In this Posture Video you are going to learn  three Posture Improvement Exercises >>> with a Foam Roller <<< that
(1) Stretch your Back and Spine out, (2) Mobilize and Loosen your shoulder area, (3) Stretch your chest out to prevent rounded shoulders.
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Keep your core muscles, your TVA (Transverse Abdominis) slightly engaged throughout to make these exercises safer for your lower back. Always consult a GP / physician before starting a new exercises regime, especially if you haven’t exercised for a long time on a regular basis.

(1) Foam Roller – Side Sway to Right & Left
( massages the area between your shoulder blades, stretches your chest out )
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Lie flat on your foam roller, your feet are flat on the ground, your knees are bend. Make sure your mid and lower back stay reasonable close to the foam roller. Avoid overarching your lower back, lumbar spine, as this would put pressure on your back. Ensure that the back of your head is well supported, avoid dropping the head over the edge of the roller, as this would overstretch your neck.
Then simply sway one to two inches from side to side, to massage your mid back and either side of the spine. Most class participants find this exercise very relaxing. This will also help you to prevent rounded shoulders, bad posture, as your pectoral muscles, your chest gets stretched out as well. 
Sit w.
(2) Foam Roller – Full Body stretch – Back Stretch and Shoulder Mobility
( focuses on stretching your whole spine and back, increasing shoulder mobility, includes a chest stretch )
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This a very simple yet effective exercise. Start in the same position as in exercise number one, then stretch and lengthen your legs away on the Pilates mat. It might be slightly challenging to keep your balance, which will activate your general core muscles a small bit. Aim to keep your mid and especially your lower back, reasonable close to the foam roller, avoid overarching your lower back. Reach with your hands towards the wall behind you, stretch as far as possible through your fingers away to increase the back and spine stretch. This will work on mobility of your shoulder area and stretches your chest out, preventing rounded shoulders >>> Posture Work ! 🙂
Hold for around 10 long, deep breaths and aim to lengthen further away each time you exhale.

(3) Shoulder Mobilizing with a Foam Roller
( focuses on shoulder mobility, posture improvement, a small chest stretch and a bit mid-back strength )
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Another simple exercise to loosen and mobilize your shoulder area and improve your posture. Start in the same position as in exercise number one. Reach with your fingers towards the ceiling, let your palms face towards each other, straighten your arms nearly completely, keep your neck long and relaxed. Draw your shoulders down your back, away from your earlobes.
Breath in as you aim to lift / round your shoulder as much as possible off or away from the foam roller towards the ceiling, stretch your fingers as high as possible up towards the ceiling, while keeping the back of your head on the foam-roller. Breath out as you draw your shoulders back toward the ground, it is a bit like wrapping your shoulder blades around the foam roller, aim to keep your arms straight as you do this. Breath in as you restart. Repeat 10 times.
Same as above, just crisscross your arms in front of your chest to intensify the movement..
Let me know how you get on and e-mail or facebook me your questions, comments or feedback.
Thank you
_ Martin

New Years Resolutions & Pilates for Men, Mens Pilates in South Dublin, D16, D18

Skip the first few paragraphs and start reading below the video if you are not interested in New Years Resolutions and go straight to the Mens Pilates Class information.

It is that time of the year again …. some folks set “New Years Resolutions” or NYRs as I call them.

I’m not a fan of NYRs. Most of us are just about able to stick to them for the first three or four weeks of the year. Then it’s back to the old routines, habits and procrastination. Is that you?

What about picking a theme for the year in different areas of your life, e.g. “Freshness” in terms so of what you eat (bin processed foods) or “Positive Outlook”  in terms of mental self-talk or “Healthy Habits” in terms of being active and exercising.

Once you identified three or four themes, jot them down, write them into your diary, onto yellow Post-Its and place them into your wallet, at the dashboard of your car, on your phone, maybe set alarms to remind you of the themes regularly, ideally daily and ask yourself “What simple action can I take today to align my day with that theme and have fun 🙂 ?”.

Here a sample for above themes “Freshness” + “Positive Outlook” + “Healthy Habits”:
Get two pieces of fresh fruit for your in-between snacks in the office or when studying, take the stairs when bringing that important report to your manager or cycle/walk to the library when dropping off that novel or text book, encourage others to join in and “Always look at the bright side of life …. ” or think of James Brown’s song “I Feel Good”.

Make it easy for yourself to succeed and have fun doing so ! 
Get those post-its and your diary out and start writing … come on lets do it now !
Martin

Now to the Mens Pilates Classes in South Dublin, Dublin 16 – Dundrum and Dublin 18 Sandyford, Lambscross.

I’m teaching these classes for around six years now. Most guys join initially because of some lower back issues, some as they want to improve their core strength as they play golf, others look to get a bit more flexible and to loosen their back after a regular running sessions and so it goes on.

I mix (1) traditional Pilates with (2) general core strength exercises, similar to what you might have done as part of your GAA, Football, Rugby, Golf or other training, think 5-6 variations of planks and add (3) a good bit mobility and (4) flexibility work in, as most guys are simply to stiff. I round it up with (5) various body weight exercises e.g. squat or press-up variations to boost general strength.

The age profile of past class participants in the “Men Only Pilates Classes” varied from mid 20s to early to mid 70s, whereas the age of the majority of class participants probably ranges from early to mid 30s to early to mid 60s. All ages are welcome.

I generally look at what participants can do and what the exercises allow them to do if they keep them up.

Every class participants takes it at his own pace, as everybody has different exercise backgrounds or possibly back issues or minor niggling bits. I show always two or three different variations of the same exercise, so you can pick which every version is right for you.

Drop-Ins classes or Trial classes are possible. Please contact me a few days in advance to check availability, if you plan to try a class.

The fee for 8 consecutive weeks is €100 one class per week, Drop-Ins are €14.

These classes take place:
1. Tuesday 6-7pm – Dublin 18 – Sandyford Community Centre, Lambs Cross
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2. Tuesday 8.15-9.15pm – Dublin 14 – Dundrum, Taney Parish Centre

Contact me with any other questions you might have or to book your course.
Martin