The Importance Of Balance For Your Body

I went to a fabulous dynamic pilates class this morning at Paola’s Body Barre in Fulham, if you haven’t tried her classes I highly recommend them, she is also located in Wimbledon Village. After the class I felt I had worked hard at toning and strengthening, but also that I had stretched and created a sense of ease and wellbeing in my body. I find this is a rare combination in most exercise classes, usually at the end I just feel shattered!

During the class Paola was reminding us how important it is to balance high intensity workouts, which are so popular at the moment, with more gentle alignment, toning and stretching. This is exactly what I instil in my yoga students; in order for our bodies to function at their optimum we must have a balance of strength and softness, a balance of striving and ease. Continual high intensity workouts, or even doing exactly the same physical training routine over and over again, can quickly create tension and restriction in your body.

How do we ensure we create a balance?

Keep variety in your fitness routines e.g. running one day, a dance class another and a yoga or pilates class the next. Keep your body moving in various different ways.
Definitely incorporate yoga and/or pilates into your fitness plan to ensure you’re lengthening and stretching your muscles. There are lots of free classes on You Tube if you would rather not go to a class, you can check out my You Tube channel – Love Yoga Online
Commit to rest days. Perhaps on these days you take a lovely walk outside or do some simple yoga stretches at home.

It’s so important not to forget how we feel in our bodies while we strive for the ideal shape or level of strength. We will all hopefully be living in our one body for many years to come! Let’s make sure we take care of it in the best way we can so we feel healthy, strong and vital everyday.

Written by Gemma Ford

Instagram: @gemmajaneford

Twitter: @fitwimbledon

Facebook: @GemmaJFord

YouTube: @LoveYogaOnline