Why Pilates Exercises are Helpful for Breast Cancer Survivors
Over time, therapists and Pilates innovators have found effective ways to modify Pilates exercises, so that one can start practicing Pilates from any level of fitness. A woman starting out after a break from exercise, and possibly after difficult treatments, will find that with Pilates, she can still work from her core and build strength and flexibility. Some will appreciate that many Pilates exercises are done lying down, reducing the risk of a fall or overexertion.
Pilates also helps deepen the body/mind connection, something many recovering women are ready to explore. Centering, concentration, control, precision, breath and flow — these Pilates principles, the foundations of Pilates movement, provide integrative links between body and mind.
Exercises for Breast Cancer Recovery
I asked Naomi Aaronson what kinds of Pilates exercises a woman starting her path of breast cancer recovery may expect to do:
- Deep breathing, a fundamental part of Pilates exercise, tops the list of exercise for women in recovery. It is enlivening, stress-reducing, and it works the core muscles. Examples of Pilates breathing exercises that women in early stages of recovery may begin to practice are diaphragmatic breathing and Pilates lateral breathing.
- Simple exercises that strengthen the abdominal muscles and back help support good posture, which translates to more stability and freedom in everyday movement. Plus, being able to maintain good posture goes a long way toward helping women feel more self-assured. Exercises, such as a small bridge or pelvic clock, will work the back and abs without challenging the chest and arms too much.
- Light stretches done with good alignment (a Pilates prerequisite for everything) help women regain full range of motion through the chest and arm. Angel arms, where the arms float up to the sides, maybe halfway to start, is a good example. Also, Arms Reach/Pull, where we pull the shoulder blades together and push them apart, is an exercise that we do a lot in Pilates that also shows up in initial breast cancer recovery programs. Here at pilates.about.com, we have a lot of good information on this particular move. See:
Arms Reach/Pull Exercise
Shoulder Stability Explained
Shoulder Stability VideoThe above are examples of Pilates fundamental moves that I hope will encourage recovering women to see that they can start exercise slowly and safely and use it to help rebuild, both physically and emotionally. It is, however, very important to find instructors who have adequate training in working with breast cancer recovery. Fortunately, many physical therapists are including Pilates training in their skill sets, and there are fully certified Pilates instructors who are trained in working with appropriate modifications for rehab clients.
Next: Exercise Tips for Recovery
