LESS IS MORE, Part Two: “Too Little Too Late”

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So we decided LESS IS MORE…right? Please say yes…

What about TOO LITTLE TOO LATE? Has this applied to you? I hope not. You don’t want this to be your reality. Many of us never really experience chronic pain or injury until we are well into our adulthood. Remember the day you didn’t pop up out of bed with the same zest and energy as usual? I know I remember that day…vividly. It happened to me when I was 29.

I immediately started researching ways to improve my musculature and stumbled down the hill into Pilates. (As most dancers do!) I had spent so many years decorating my movement patterns, dumping into my joints, straining my muscles over and over again. I had no idea what kind of damage and unnecessary strain I was putting my body through.

Then one day, when I was in undergraduate school, one of my professors encouraged all of us to try Pilates. Long hours of rehearsal had taken their toll on our bodies as we all kept complaining about the aches and pains. At the time I had no idea of what the heck she was talking about–all that Pilates stuff. I ignored her discussion of the subject and failed to take her advice seriously. Now I wish I hadn’t.

The fact of the matter is (how many times does that sentence get used in one day?) most people wait until they’re injured or in major pain before they pay any attention at all to their smaller muscle groups or to improving their movement patterns.

If you wait until you’re injured before strengthening your smaller muscle groups, you’re going to have to work twice as hard later on. (Seriously, you will.) I did. And, you might permanently strain something and be forced to give up your favorite activity, and that’s not good either.

So, don’t fall into the category of TOO LITTLE TOO LATE. Start restructuring your movement patterns BEFORE you get injured. Don’t be foolish and wait until you are older to start this remarkable form of exercise. One thing we can all count on is getting older, and with that come a few aches and pains along the way. If you practice Pilates you won’t have to stop doing the things you love. If you’re a runner, you should be running well into your seventies. If you’re a cyclist, you should be cycling well into your eighties–and beyond!

Pilates should be more about prevention and less about rehabilitation. FEEL BETTER, LIVE BETTER…PRACTICE PILATES.

Bye for now!