Pilates
Pilates is a slow, no-impact form of exercise designed to help mobilise your spine and joints while strengthening your core muscles. It has been shown to help improve your posture and can help to relieve back pain.
Possibly the best way to explain Pilates is this: Your body has many layers, like an onion, each with its own purpose. You skin is your outer layer, protecting the body from infection. Next, you have a layer of skeletal muscles, providing movement to your limbs. Under this layer, you have a layer of "core muscles". These act as stabilisers to your spine, pelvis and shoulder girdle. These muscles have a tendancy to become lazy and weak, leading to an unstable spine, pelvis and shoulder girdle.
When was the last time you thought about stabilising your pelvis or spine before you moved? Never? You shouldn't have to think about it, however, in modern day life, the human body has become lazy. This has lead to poor posture, untoned muscles and increased back and joint pain.
Pilates will help you to re-gain control of your stabilising core muscles, improve your posture and help you to understand how your body SHOULD be moving.