Going back to Pilates
These are the basic Pilates positions
I have missed my last four Pilates’ sessions. They are on a Friday morning but I have been away. Going back to Pilates was a bit like going back to school after the Easter or Christmas break.
Going back to Pilates
Don’t get me wrong I enjoy Pilates. It helps me with the biggest problems caused by the multiple sclerosis (MS), my balance and foot drop. I have survived the ‘tripping up all the time’ stage. Now I have progressed to the ‘I cannot walk without a rollator’ stage. I won’t contemplate the next stage, Meanwhile the Pilates helps with my core stability, this is a big plus for me.
More MS problems
Problems become more serious because of the inevitable progression. Oh what joy,little issues develop into problems then there is a change of life style. It has taken about 20 years for the changes to become this refined. I am unable to carry a plate of food or drink while walking. Climbing the stairs is slow and tedious.
Getting into a car now needs new skills. Most people put in a foot and then sit down on the seat. Me, I have to get in bottom first and drag my feet in afterwards.
My sense of balance is completely visual. If I stand up, don’t hold onto anything and shut my eyes then I WILL fall over.
Pilates may not
Eliminate my drop foot or drop leg. These occur because of damage to nerves in my spinal cord and brain.
The Plank. Do you think this looks easy?
Pilates will probably
Build up my core stability. When I take a step, turn a corner or reach out an arm my nervous system turns my muscles on in a specific order, trunk muscles contracting before limb muscles. This stabilises my body, ensuring that I am not pulled off balance by moving an arm or leg. This is commonly known as ‘core stability’.
The balance problems
These occur because messages are not reaching the muscles in my left leg and messages about the position of my left leg are not getting back to the brain. This affects my stability.
So going back to Pilates?
It was a really good session today? I measure the quality of the session by the ache of the muscles in my abdomen. Today there was a really good buzz in that part of my body. My muscles ached, they felt as if they had been woken up but I didn’t feel exhausted. I was pleased to have gone back to Pilates
I’ve sailed the west coast of Scotland in a 35 footer in late April/ early May and it was bone-chillingly cold , we had all the right gear but it was no match for the cold and the wind factor. Also, Isle of Man to Aberdeen is a very long trip for a sailboat? Are you going to be motoring for much of the trip? Otherwaise it seems a long long way!
Hello John
It will be sailing on the tallship the Lord Nelson run by the Jubilee Sailing Trust Yes I think it will be cold but quite an experience. 50 people on board. Yet to make up my mind one way or the other. Did you read the post https://www.aid4disabled.com/tall-ship-boat-sailing-holiday/
Talk soon