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AT this moment, I’m pretty proud of myself as I managed to chill my bougie can of La Croix sparkling water in under 15 minutes. How did I get this done in record time?
Well, I learned that a can chills much faster if it’s wrapped in a wet paper towel before it goes into the freezer. Is this efficiency at its finest? Well, this would be an exaggeration, but I believe it’s a reflection of the way we live.
Our lives are in a perpetual state of heightened efficiency. As the years go by, the pace of life gets quicker. The “get-me-there-the-quickest-with-the-least-amount-of-energy” train is showing no signs of slowing down.
Yet, this doesn’t always have a negative connotation, especially when it comes to our bodies. In the long run, sometimes the smallest of movements can have the biggest impact on our health.
Those new to Pilates often remark, ‘wow, I felt muscles I never knew existed’, after their first workout, and it’s not surprising because Joseph Pilates said, ‘developing minor muscles naturally helps to strengthen the major muscles', when talking about his method, Contrology, which we now refer to as the Pilates method.
He said that when all your muscles are properly developed, your work (or everyday tasks) will be performed with minimum effort and maximum pleasure, resulting in the utilisation of approximately 25 per cent of your energy.
Efficiency in Pilates is the balance between effort and ease. It focuses on the quality of movement, which is about balance and flow, rather than quantity or intensity. The idea behind Pilates is to move with precision and control, striking a balance between muscle contraction and extension, or relaxation, to produce efficiency in movement.
The next time you perform a small movement during your workout, remember that it doesn’t mean it’s not mighty.
Speaking of mighty, here’s a Pilates routine that will give you an efficient core and glute workout. We’ll work through Pelvic Tilts to warm-up, followed by Leg Lifts and Leg Changes to stabilise your pelvis and mobilise your hip extensors.
This exercise is great for those who have been sitting for too long and need to correct that anterior pelvic tilt. If this is your first Pilates workout, be sure to view the accompanying video to my ‘Power in Your Posture’ article to understand the basic Pilates form.
Time to get up off that chair (or couch) and move along with me! ─ The Vibes, 24 February, 2021
