For the next few days I will be blogging from a big yoga conference sponsored by the Yoga Journal, in Colorado. Lucky me, it's near my house. I'm here learning from wonderful instructors and appreciating all the crossover interests we Pilates folks have with yoga - like alignment, breath, flexibility, core work, and of course, clothes.
My class today was taught by one of Yoga's most popular Anusara yoga teachers, Desiree Rumbaugh. Guess what we talked about? Picking the ribs up out of the pelvis, dropping the scapula down the back, opening the chest, hugging toward the midline, engaging the abs, and scooping the tail bone. Lots more, of course, but sound familiar? I hope you are getting cues like that in your Pilates classes, and I know you are reading stuff like that here at pilates.about.com.
What today reminded me of was how the principles of good alignment in motion are what they are whatever you are doing - yoga, Pilates, or grocery shopping. And we are all starting to talk about alignment in similar ways. Yoga is getting past its reputation for creating overly floppy bodies, and Pilates is getting past the overly flat back idea. We are all getting very scientific, strong, and flexible.
Here's a cue I'll quickly share. I heard this cue in Pilates class, walked into yoga today and heard it again. It has to do with getting a nice upper body arch once your are supported from underneath: Slide your shoulder blades down your back. Then, think of sending the bottom tips of your scapula (wing bones) through the front of your chest as you rotate your shoulders back, lift and open your chest.
Have I put you in the mood for a greater exploration of similarities and differences between yoga and Pilates?
Read: The Yoga Pilates Connection
also see:
Yoga at About.com
Pilates Techniques - for more on bones, muscles, and alignment.
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