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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 25 living fit pilates / thanksgiving workout Thanksgiving Day fitness from quadruped to kneeling, from kneeling to standing—can help train our vestibular system and improve its ability to coordinate with our somatosensory and musculoskeletal systems. Visual system is system has a strong impact on bal- ance. We all know that when you close your eyes it's harder to maintain balance. Try this by placing your feet together and shutting your eyes. Do you feel more or less stable? Although not many exercises en- courage keeping our eyes closed, one way to train our visual system is to focus our sight on the horizon as we progress through Pilates movements. Maintaining good balance requires constant coor- dination between our eyes, our limbs, and our head. Pilates strengthens the connections between these body parts and leads to positive improvements in our visual system and balance. Somatosensory system is system consists of different sensory receptors that send input to the brain. Each joint is loaded with mechanore- ceptors, which respond to mechanical stimuli, while each muscle has stretch receptors that are responsible for its lengthening or contracting. By doing Pilates exercises barefoot and on a gliding platform, we can stim- ulate our sensory receptors much better than doing exercises wearing shoes on solid ground. Musculoskeletal system Our muscular strength and our skeletal alignment do the work of providing us with coordinated movement. When we strengthen and stretch our muscles, we create more support and stability for our bodies. In Pilates, we oen focus on postural support and stability. When our bones are aligned properly, our weight is distributed evenly through our skeleton. is facilitates balance. Motor system Pilates is loaded with exercises that improve motor control by emphasizing slow, well-coordinated movements. is smooth execution requires coordinat- ed input from all our systems, and all together contribute to better balance. As the aging process begins, Pilates can provide important benefits that will help you stay healthy and happy through middle age and beyond. PRESCRIPTIVE PILATES SERIES Want to learn more about Pilates? A new series will introduce the benefits to balance, back health, posture, core strength, and flexibil- ity. The first two workshops are set for early 2020. All workshops will take place 2–3 pm in Studio B on the 4th Floor. Complimentary with Fitness Advantage; $16 without. January 18: Healthy Back In this workshop, we'll discuss how the Pilates method and proper body mechanics can help you avoid or eliminate episodes of back pain. Learn how flexibility of the spine is crucial for a healthy back and why mobile and strong hips are necessary for spinal support. February 22: The Sitting Effect Is sitting the new smoking? In this workshop, we'll discuss how a sed- entary lifestyle can have negative effects on our health and longevity. Learn how various body parts are affected by prolonged sitting and how to develop a proper sitting posture to minimize stress on joints, muscles and ligaments. Make room for seconds! Burn some serious calories before your feast with group fitness classes on anksgiving morning. Choose from boot camp, spin, Zumba, dance cardio, and yoga flow. All classes are complimentary for members and your guests! Workouts start at 8 am, 9 am and 10 am on anksgiving— ursday, November 28. Register on the 4th Floor or email coed@wac.net. wac.net/pilates wac.net/pilates-series