pilates

Lynne Robinson, founder of Body Control Pilates explains why runners should try Pilates and reveals the best stretches to limber up and leave you primed to perform.

Correct posture and core stability is essential for a good running technique, which is at the centre of Pilates practice. Lynne says, “It’s actually not so about much the fact that you’re stretching and strengthening, it’s the fact that you’re working in good alignment.  Even small adjustments can make all the difference to your run.”

5 best post-run stretches

Spine Curls

  1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet in parallel on the floor.
  2. Breathe out as you curl your tailbone under, tilting your pelvis backwards as you peel your spine off the mat one vertebra at a time, lengthening your knees away from your hips. Roll up to the tips of the shoulder blades.
  3. Breathe in and hold the position, focusing on the length in your spine. Breathe out as you roll the spine back down, wheeling each bone down in turn. Breathe in as you release the pelvis back to level again.
  4. Repeat 10 times.

Oyster

  1. Start by lying straight on your side with your bottom arm under your head and your top hand on the mat in front of you. Bend your knees and draw your feet back, so that your heels are aligned with the back of your pelvis. Place a cushion between your knees.
  2. Exhaling, open out your top knee from the hip joint, keeping your feet connected. Keep your pelvis stable.
  3. Inhaling, return your leg to the starting position with control. Repeat 10 times on each side.

Prone knee lifts

  1. Lie on your front. Rest your forehead on a folded towel and place your fingertips under your pelvic bones.
  2. Bend your right leg to a 90-degree angle. Maintaining the position and stability of your pelvis, breathe in and lift the leg up slightly off the mat.
  3. Breathing out, lower the leg back down. Repeat 10 times on each side.

Pilates squat

  1. Breathe in to prepare the body. Lengthen through the spine as you bend the knees and the hips simultaneously to hinge forwards slightly from the hips.
  2. Reach forward with both arms to counter your balance. Ensure that your ankles, knees and hips are lined up.
  3. Breathe out as you straighten your legs. Repeat 10 times.

One-leg Pilates squat

  1. Transfer your weight onto one leg. Breathe in to prepare the body. Keeping both sides of your waist equally long and your pelvis even, bend your knee to do a small squat.
  2. Reach forward with both arms to counter your balance. Ensure that you direct your knee over the centre of your foot to keep good alignment.
  3. Breathe out as you straighten your leg. Repeat 8 times with each leg.