Pure Barre: Pelvic Posture
Greetings Pure Barre Friends! There is something special about the type of people that embrace the strengthening of the Pure Barre technique! And after a year, I can officially say that I am one of you! As a doctor of physical therapy and a former aerospace engineer, I love thinking about the physics of human movement. And as new clinic owner, I am always looking for ways my patients can integrate rehab into their fitness program so they can keep moving, look fit, and feel strong. It is a huge honor that Ladue and CWE Pure Barre allowed me so share a short blog for the newsletter!
This month I want to discuss pelvis posture during single leg standing. One of the many ways PB exercises strengthen the gluteals is by completing prolonged single leg standing (or single leg kneeling) activities. This challenges the gluteal muscle on the standing side to work hard to keep the pelvis level! When your pelvis is level, your gluteal (and some abdominals and paraspinals) work to maintain your spine in a healthy neutral posture during your exercises.
Our amazing PB instructors are excellent at correcting pelvis posture during classes. When you are in class, try to imagine two headlights on your pelvis (one on each side). When standing on one leg - you keep both headlights pointing the same direction and in line with each other - just like your car headlights!
Jesse is correcting her posture, pointing her ‘headlights’ horizontal and forward
Sometimes our PB exercises require rotation of the pelvis, and in this way you can imagine the headlights moving across the floor or pointing to the corner of the room.
Jesse is turning her pelvis moving her ‘headlights’ across the floor to the left
When you keep your tuck and your pelvis level, you are maintaining neutral spine and getting a better quality gluteal contraction. As you learn this movement in PB, try applying it to other areas of your life as well! Your pelvis should be relatively level (forward horizontal headlights) during walking, standing at your standing desk, holding your child, and talking to your friends while waiting for class. Below I have an example of a good and poor posture for standing. If you remember your headlights during the day you can begin to adapt your PB practice to all areas of your life!
Jesse is correcting her pelvis ‘headlights’ while standing at her computer station
Jesse is correcting her pelvis ‘headlights’ while holding baby Marcella
If you have any questions about your Pure Barre posture, ask your instructor in class - if you are having any nagging aches and pains that just don’t go away with cuing and corrections in class, let me know - this is our specialty at Precision Physical Therapy.
Have a great day friends.
Ann
This blog is not intended as medical or professional advice. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical or physical therapy advice to any individual. Any exercise has potential to cause injury or pain if it is incorrectly done or is not the right exercise for an individual’s medical or physical problems. You should consult with a physical therapist or medical provider for individualized advice.
