Learn how Yoga and Pilates can develop a strong “core”
We all have been told to engage our core as well felt stiff, tight, and sore. Katarina Stovikova is offering two workshops September 17th 2 - 4:30pm and 24th 2 - 4pm, 2022 to investigate these subjects. Her first workshop September 17 will look to demystify the “core” and give students a chance to re-imagine how they engage their body in movement and postures. The second workshop September 24 will guide students through a self-massage and body tapping sequence along with some releasing yoga poses/stretches to feel their best while learning about how our muscles and bodily tissues need stimulation to hydrate and function at their best. Read on for some of Katarina’s musings on both workshops below.
Developing good motor function, muscle control and connectivity (A.K.A. tensegrity) students often begin to feel how interconnected each part of the body truly is. This leads us to find the deeper connections to our muscles, connective tissues, joints and bones that allow us to define what core integrity is. In essence. we can develop the skill to control and connect (the union described in Yoga) the different parts of the body in unison through our deepest most “core” muscles and connective tissues. We asked Katarina her thoughts:
1. How does body awareness help students develop their core:
K: Core tissues are deep tissues in our body and it is not that easy to know whether they are working or not. Through cultivation of awareness, we are able to connect with those layers and efficiently use them to bring lightness and ease into body movements. It takes practice and lots of focus to connect with our deep core. But anyone who puts in the work can happily enjoy an interconnected body and functional core.
2. Why do most think of the Core as mainly the abdominal muscles?
K: Over the years through yoga, fitness, and pilates classes good teachings have been condensed so much that a cue “engage your core” is now common place yet doesn’t give students the full picture or allow them to develop their own appreciation for inner strength and control. I think it is preconditioned knowledge that has been ingrained in our brain over the years. Most of movement discipline are focusing on building strong abdominal muscles unless you attend Pilates or yoga class, you may never find out what cue "strong core" really represents.
3. Do the muscles and connective tissue really hydrate and absorb water and fluids?
We are water and it makes up a major part of our constitution. Yet some parts of our body including muscles connective tissues, bones and joints can become dehydrated. We have all experienced dry skin, yet this can happen under the surface as well. See below direct evidence of water being sucked up by the human body (note* viewers advisory detailed images of human fascia)
4. What do you hope to inspire in students who attend the workshops September 17 and 24, 2022?
K. Students will walk out of those workshops with better understanding of what "Core" really represents, few tips on how to connect and appropriately use those tissues to keep body strong and safe.
Students will get better picture of how well hydrated body provides fluid movements and feeling less tight and restricted as well as understanding that being well hydrated prevents body from injuries.
So if you are have been told you need to “work on your core” or are wanting to release some stiffness and tightness in your body come and enjoy these specialty workshops!
Here is the link to register.