Anyone tried Pilates?

[fbloke]

Anyone out there into Pilates?  I've got an ongoing back problem that osteopathy and physio can't seem to cure completely, time to take matters into my own hands.  I'd like to hear from anyone who has experienced good results with it.

[hunter]

Anyone out there into Pilates?  I've got an ongoing back problem that osteopathy and physio can't seem to cure completely, time to take matters into my own hands.  I'd like to hear from anyone who has experienced good results with it.

You should do Bikram Yoga, it's the best for your kind of issue.

I am a certified Bikram teacher, but that's not why I say it, I just know it will fix you after 6 months of regular practice.

[Johnny Mac]

I've done it Fbloke. There's a good DVD on amazon called Pilates for men. The instructors name is Linsey Jackson. She seems to know what she's on about. It helped me. Just take it easy to start with. It is aimed at blokes with back problems.
If the Osteopath didn't work try a sports physio. Swimming is good too.

[PhilKing]

I used to do pilates when I lived in London and it is great for building core strength to cure back pain. 

I don't know where you live, but this is the studio I used to go to in the Docklands:

http://www.tran-quility.co.uk/

[MrBump]

As stated, Pilates is great for building up core strength.  I've tried it, and it's very good.

If you're after a longer term lifestyle change you could do worse than take up Hunters suggestion of Bikram Yoga.

Mark.

[Matt77]

I hurt my back in 1999 - Pilates fixed it. I didn't keep it up but I'd say it's worth a go

[Philly Q]

I keep meaning to have a go at Pilates or some kind of "core" strengthening exercises. 

I once had abs of steel (well, bronze maybe), but I $%&#ed up my back about 10 years ago and ever since it hurts to do things like situps.  So now I have abs of porridge.

I have lots of books about yoga, pilates etc but (of course) I've never got round to really giving them a go.  Everyone says they work though.  Classes would be good but I hate gym classes.

[MrBump]

I find classes quite good - I'm pretty lazy, and can't be left to my own devices, or I'd do fluck-all.

As with any exercise, it has to be a lifestyle change rather than something you just go and do on a Thursday evening, otherwise it's really difficult to maintain. 

[Plexi Ken]

Interesting little article for those with back pain,
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/core-myths/

[Philly Q]

Interesting little article for those with back pain,
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/core-myths/

Interesting!  You never know who to believe, do you?  :lol:

It's like all the food types which are good for you one week and near-fatal the next.

[Dr. Stein]

What actually is (are?) pilates? I've googled it and all I can seem to find is videos of people doing standard S&C exercises with weights that are far too light for them with birdsong playing in the background (almost as irritating as radio 1...). I'm probably just being cynical so I'd be interested to hear from someone who does it what it's really about.

Recovering from a hernia op at the moment so something that can build up my core strength gently is something I'd be especially interested in.

[ToneMonkey]

What actually is (are?) pilates?

Not sure, but I hear they're good with chips.

[fbloke]

Very helpful replies here folks, many thanks for sharing your experiences.  The posts along the lines of "my back was dodgy, pilates sorted it out" are particularly interesting as I'm keen to bring recovery within my own sphere of control.  With osteopaths and physios I'm rarely sure whether they're making things better or worse. 

What's clear to me is that short sharp treatments or high-impact exercise don't work - the spine and nervous system have learned to go into a pattern over a period of time and need to be coaxed back into harmony gradually and with subtlety.

Can too much time sat at a laptop surfing guitarists' forums, guitar shops and "gentleman's art films" affect posture I wonder...?

[Plexi Ken]

What actually is (are?) pilates? I've googled it and all I can seem to find is videos of people doing standard S&C exercises with weights that are far too light for them with birdsong playing in the background (almost as irritating as radio 1...). I'm probably just being cynical so I'd be interested to hear from someone who does it what it's really about.

Recovering from a hernia op at the moment so something that can build up my core strength gently is something I'd be especially interested in.

The original mat/floor version of Pilates is like a cross between Yoga and Gymnastics; movements with coordinated breathing, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWqetvphLEU

There are other variations that use various forms of resistance equipment.

[Sifu Ben]

Interesting little article for those with back pain,
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/core-myths/

Interesting!  You never know who to believe, do you?  :lol:

It's like all the food types which are good for you one week and near-fatal the next.

Read this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bad-Science-Ben-Goldacre/dp/000728487X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281084846&sr=1-1 it explains how to appraise such articles and make up your own mind.