Comments on: Pilates, not painful at all!

By: David

David — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 19:55:16 +0000

I developed sciatica 5 months ago. I have been goingfor deep tissue massages which work wonders. I also took up pilates and have done about 8 sessions now. Occasionally, i will wake up the next day with my butt cheeks in absolute agony. Is that to be expected? The pain is almost paralyzing…

By: Dina

Dina — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:38:12 +0000

Sajia, be careful.
Years ago I hurt my knee because I was doing all kinds of dances (Latin fitness, hip hop..), Thai boxing, and my regular weight training per week… I could not do much for years. I still cannot do the “jumpy” stuff like THai boxing and hip hop, and what annoys me the most it sometimes affected the oriental dancing, too, although it s not strenuous (I tend to be worried and tense when shimmying because of the knees – something I never had before the injury).

Be very careful to not overdo your exercise.
It would bite you you know where

By: Mala

Mala — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:35:32 +0000

Yes, you do sound like you overdo it!

But you know what, I meanwhile found some Pialtes videos specifically for back problems and back strengthening!

By: Sajia

Sajia — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:19:47 +0000

So, I just saw my physiotherapist. She says it’s mostly a problem of fatigue and core weakness, so she gave me some good exercises. Thank you, Mala and Dina, for the advice!

By: Dina

Dina — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:05:42 +0000

Can you see a good physiotherapist? A few sessions if you experience the rise of some problems is such a good investment.
They will check if there’s damage done already, they will show you the best exercises for your particular issues..

After a history of very serious knee pain and less serious other problems in the past years, I can say the money I invested into my excellent physiotherapist was the best way of spending it. Better than all of my dvds, and that tells a lot if you know me

By: Mala

Mala — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:02:15 +0000

Sajia, have you ever consulted a doctor on this? Is the back pain bad enough for that? Because there are at least two possibilities:
1. You have a basic back problem being triggered off by the dancing
2. Your dance posture is not yet good enough to correct for all the pressure on the lower back.

For the first, a doctor will have to tell you. For the second, I can say this much: I’ve been dancing for about 8 years and belly dancing for 4 and it’s only very recently that I’ve become properly “back-aware”. It’s only now that something in my brain gets triggered right off if there’s the faintest pressure on my lower back. And it’s only now that I know how to quickly tuck in to elongate and ease the pressure. Perhaps it’s this skill you need to develop and it’s particularly needed for drills and tribal moves that need hard control.

I’d stay away from any exercises like Pilates if you have back pain. But there are yoga videos and programs specially for back pain. There’s even one by WDNY but that one is very slow and difficult to handle. It doesn’t engage properly right from the start. Only the extremely patient would be able to handle it. I do however remember coming across more yoga videos specially for back pain. Do a bit of a search on that because it’s really yoga that can strengthen your back.

If you have a big problem, the doctor will have to give you finely targeted exercises that you’ll have to do gently when pain isn’t acute.

By: Sajia

Sajia — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:36:36 +0000

Ok. I got a little enthusiastic, and did 3 rounds of the first 10 minutes of Anasma’s workout. This has definitely confirmed for me that I have lower back problems. Could you recommend me a dvd or preferably online exercises that would help build up strength and flexibility in my lower back?

By: Dina

Dina — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:32:59 +0000

I’ve been doing exercise for the full body since I was 16 (11 years now), every day all through school and university. Now I find it a bit tough doing it every day time-wise.
I can only say I’ve told many girlfriends when they had these problems to work out, ESPECIALLY abs exercises. Yes, it aggravates the discomfort for about the first 5 min. Then the problems disappear I swear. Work your abs as long as you can – 15 min would be good, or a bit longer. The cramps and other discomforting feelings in the belly area disappear.
That is because blood circulation is enhanced by the exercises.

The tough thing is to get up to do something at this time of the month. But if you manage to work the abs I promise you’ll feel like on any other day!

By: Mala

Mala — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:20:24 +0000

I’ve also slowed down on Asharah’s warm up because I’ve stuck to it like glue for over a year and definitely one needs a change. Anasma’s is nice too. There are some exercise DVDs that seem to include a lot of what’s on these programs – I’ll get down to reviewing those.

Hmm, that irregularity can be very upsetting and annoying. But you know what, I’ve heard that exercise is one thing that actually helps stabilize this! Check with a doc though.

But you might want to try Callanetics. That’s so nice and gentle that you may well find it’s doable any time!

By: Sajia

Sajia — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:39:09 +0000

I slogged through Asharah’s warmup, but got weighed down by other stuff, and it got too familiar. I like Anasma’s workout, though I’m taking it slowly, just once a week. I’ve ordered Love Potion and Sadie’s Complete Bellydance Guide, so I don’t want to buy any more fitness dvds before I’ve worked through Autumn’s flows. The pilates sounds interesting, though.
If you don’t mind too much information, one of the things interfering with my dance routine is the fact I have very irregular periods, with all the mood irritability and physical fatigue that brings.