Let's Talk Core
A strong core helps prevent tensions, pains, and injuries by supporting the spine and pelvis. Walking with heavy grocery bags, twisting to swing a golf club, bending down to pick up a toddler all require core strength. Learning to initiate movement from the center/the core/the “power house” starts with proper core engagement.
To activate your core, engage your pelvic floor muscles first: think of holding your pee and bowel movements in. Your PF is responsible for keeping your pelvic organs from pushing down, and a functioning PF prevents incontinence. One could say these muscles are pretty important.
Secondly, engage your transverse abdominis, which is one of your deepest abdominal layers that wraps around your waistline. To do this, gently hug your navel to your spine. If you feel like you’ve lost your PF connection, scoop the navel in a little less intensely.
And lastly, do not hold your breath! The diaphragm is also part of your core, so make sure you breathe. Exhaling helps deepen your connection to the core, which is why it’s great to exhale when performing the hardest part of an exercise, or when you’re lifting up that loaded laundry basket off the floor ;)
The core gets stronger the more you practice, so happy workouts everyone!
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Cheers,
Gabrielle Saran