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What is Pilates?

Using the Magic Circle
originally published in the Body Tonic newsletter, "The Elixir"

Freedom from Muscle Cramps originally published in the Body Tonic newsletter, "The Elixir"

The Many Benefits of Working Out with a PhysioBall
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Blog
Elaine's latest thoughts and experiences about pilates and other points of interest.
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Contact Elaine
Have questions or comments
about pilates? Email Elaine >>________________________

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Survive the Drive, Part 2

In Part 1 of this article, I suggested some ways to improve your driving posture, ways of using your whole body to support itself. Now all you have to do is drive in a perfectly straight line with no distractions, passengers, or other cars, and you are good to go! Just kidding. Since distractions play a big part in how we carry our driving posture, I’ll address some of them here and how to deal with them.
In all of the following situations, there is one thing you can always do to remind yourself that your driving posture and mental clarity is the most important thing at the moment. BREATHE. Try inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. When you inhale, allow the upper back to rise with air. When exhaling, try to keep the height of your spine and just let your shoulders melt down your back. Take a few deep breaths like this every time you’re about to react to an external force on the road, and it will remnd you to keep the focus on your posture.

Road Rage:
This is probably the most common external force that can ruin our driving posture. Someone cuts you off, someone passes you while you’re already driving 55 miles an hour, someone beeps and throws up their hands at you and you have no idea why. Pay attention to what your body does in reaction to these situations. Do you sit forward in the seat, clench the wheel, tighten the muscles around your face, pull your shoulders up in anger? Stop. Continue to drive safely and instead of allowing such a muscular reaction, turn up the radio, and adjust yourself back to your good driving posture. Cursing out the other driver, however, is allowed.

Bad Weather:
Bad weather is so stressful to drive in, not just physically, but mentally as well. It takes so much focus to drive through a snow storm or to try and see during a downpour at night. Again, try to maintain your driving posture and make your mantra, “Take it slow”. Maybe turn on the radio to something that soothes you. You’ll get there eventually, and if you take it slow, you’ll get there in one piece and pain-free.

Traffic Jams:
One of the worst things about getting stuck in traffic is that it means you have to sit in the car longer than you want or expected to. It makes my legs and back hurt just thinking about it! If your car is at a complete halt or very slow crawl, try doing some Pelvic Tilting in your seat, to bring some movement into the muscles so they don’t seize up. You could also try swirling your pelvis around in circles, in kind of a hula movement. Circle your shoulders up and down your back, or shrug them up and down. Bringing movement to the joints will help. Ever think of getting a GPS? Next time you are stuck in traffic, it could save you time, and your back.

Passengers in the Car:
Its nice to have company in the car. It makes the drive seem less long and tiring. At the same time, don’t let your driving posture slip when there are other people in the car. Its easy to forget your posture while you’re talking together. If you have a backseat passenger, ask if they could sit behind the other front seat, so you can position your seat exactly as you need it.

Type of Footwear:
Its sometimes hard to control what type of footwear you have on your feet, but sneakers really are the best type of shoe to drive in, especially if you are taking a long drive or if you’ll be in stop-and-go traffic. In the summer, avoid wearing flip flops because its really just dangerous. In general, avoid driving in boots. The ankle has limited range of motion and cannot properly point and flex to press the pedals. Not only will your foot function improperly, but so will your calf and the rest of the leg. Later in pilates class or at night, you might experience foot and calf cramps due to the improper usage during the day.

I hope these tips help you to survive the drive!

Copyright © 2008 Elaine Ewing. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: The entries on this website and blog, Heads Up on Your Body, are strictly the points of view and opinions
of Elaine Ewing, Rhinbeck Pilates, Heads Up on Your Body, and/or any guest writers featured and should not be taken as accurate medical advice.
Always consult a doctor before beginning any exercise program or if you have an injury.


	Other Articles What is Pilates? Using the Magic Circle originally published in the Body Tonic newsletter, "The Elixir" Freedom from Muscle Cramps originally published in the Body Tonic newsletter, "The Elixir" The Many Benefits of Working Out with a PhysioBall ________________________ Blog Elaine's latest thoughts and experiences about pilates and other points of interest. View Blog >> ________________________ Contact Elaine Have questions or comments about pilates? Email Elaine >>________________________ Visit Rhinebeck Pilates, Elaine's Pilates Studio>>					<<Articles Survive the Drive, Part 2 In Part 1 of this article, I suggested some ways to improve your driving posture, ways of using your whole body to support itself. Now all you have to do is drive in a perfectly straight line with no distractions, passengers, or other cars, and you are good to go! Just kidding. Since distractions play a big part in how we carry our driving posture, I’ll address some of them here and how to deal with them. In all of the following situations, there is one thing you can always do to remind yourself that your driving posture and mental clarity is the most important thing at the moment. BREATHE. Try inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. When you inhale, allow the upper back to rise with air. When exhaling, try to keep the height of your spine and just let your shoulders melt down your back. Take a few deep breaths like this every time you’re about to react to an external force on the road, and it will remnd you to keep the focus on your posture. Road Rage: This is probably the most common external force that can ruin our driving posture. Someone cuts you off, someone passes you while you’re already driving 55 miles an hour, someone beeps and throws up their hands at you and you have no idea why. Pay attention to what your body does in reaction to these situations. Do you sit forward in the seat, clench the wheel, tighten the muscles around your face, pull your shoulders up in anger? Stop. Continue to drive safely and instead of allowing such a muscular reaction, turn up the radio, and adjust yourself back to your good driving posture. Cursing out the other driver, however, is allowed. Bad Weather: Bad weather is so stressful to drive in, not just physically, but mentally as well. It takes so much focus to drive through a snow storm or to try and see during a downpour at night. Again, try to maintain your driving posture and make your mantra, “Take it slow”. Maybe turn on the radio to something that soothes you. You’ll get there eventually, and if you take it slow, you’ll get there in one piece and pain-free. Traffic Jams: One of the worst things about getting stuck in traffic is that it means you have to sit in the car longer than you want or expected to. It makes my legs and back hurt just thinking about it! If your car is at a complete halt or very slow crawl, try doing some Pelvic Tilting in your seat, to bring some movement into the muscles so they don’t seize up. You could also try swirling your pelvis around in circles, in kind of a hula movement. Circle your shoulders up and down your back, or shrug them up and down. Bringing movement to the joints will help. Ever think of getting a GPS? Next time you are stuck in traffic, it could save you time, and your back. Passengers in the Car: Its nice to have company in the car. It makes the drive seem less long and tiring. At the same time, don’t let your driving posture slip when there are other people in the car. Its easy to forget your posture while you’re talking together. If you have a backseat passenger, ask if they could sit behind the other front seat, so you can position your seat exactly as you need it. Type of Footwear: Its sometimes hard to control what type of footwear you have on your feet, but sneakers really are the best type of shoe to drive in, especially if you are taking a long drive or if you’ll be in stop-and-go traffic. In the summer, avoid wearing flip flops because its really just dangerous. In general, avoid driving in boots. The ankle has limited range of motion and cannot properly point and flex to press the pedals. Not only will your foot function improperly, but so will your calf and the rest of the leg. Later in pilates class or at night, you might experience foot and calf cramps due to the improper usage during the day. I hope these tips help you to survive the drive!