Admit it. You
dread the day when you're asked this
question:
Mama, where does core
strength come from?
But you will
get asked, so why not be prepared?
Core
Strength
Remember when it was all
about abs? Now, it's all about "core
strength."
This is a good thing. Because a strong core
is far more important (and sexier) than a display
of washboard abs.
But what exactly
is core strength? And where does it
come from?
Core strength is what
we employ to hold up a single torso with two legs (or
even one leg!) Less about strength, it is about
coordination. It is a balance and support
function.
If we want to
prevent injury and continue walking, breathing freely
and standing upright into
old age, we need
superb coordination.
Let's look at the
major muscles of core strength:
- the gluteal
muscles. (Yes, I am
looking at your butt.) The side and back muscles
of the buttocks
keep the pelvis stable so the torso is upright over
the legs.
- the hip
flexor and hamstring.
The main hip flexor is located in the groin and is
called the Psoas Major. ("Psoas" is pronounced
"so-as") You already know where your hamstring
is. ("Hamstring" is
pronounced "hamstring") When we sit at a
desk all day, our hip flexor and
hamstring become shortened and this shortening throws
off the position and flexibility of the pelvis, which
is the foundation from which the spine
grows.
- the
abdominals and low
back muscles. Though these
muscles play a role in stabilizing the torso like a
girdle, they are overrated. The muscles that
truly prevent injury and improve function are smaller
than the abs and the back muscles, and are located
deep, near the spine. You can't strengthen these
muscles with weights. They're like an elite
squad of Navy Seals - it's not the size that
matters, it's the dexterity and speed of
response.
The
Urbanite's Easiest Core Strength
Exercise:
- Get on a
subway
- Hold onto a
pole
- While the train is
moving, experiment with letting go of the pole and
balancing on your legs
- Try it on one
leg
- Don't have so much
fun that you miss your stop
If you are interested
in attending an hour long workshop in NYC on
strengthening the major muscles of the core, please
email me.
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