Pilates, the CORE, and the Evolution of Mind-Body

Core training, as in Pilates, does much more than augment the physical body’s strength, endurance and shape. Core training can also strengthen and reshape the mind and its emotions. Standing tall, and moving and breathing from the center of the body can increase confidence, decrease anxiety, increase awareness of both inner and outer worlds, alleviate depression and increase your socializations skills.nnWhat exactly is this “CORE?”nnUnlike the core of an apple, it is not visible in dissection. Like many of the most powerful forces, it is invisible, made up of a thin but expansive band of muscle and connective tissue shaped like a hollow oblong ball near the exterior of the body. The muscles involved are the diaphragm, the transverse abdominus, the multifidus and the pelvic diaphragm (levator ani). The CORE itself is the combined forces of this magic “ball” that collectively pull to the center . The core is indeed invisible, but powerful as is the invisible embrace of gravity that holds you to mother earth.nnThe CORE and the development of Body LanguagennOn the basis of function , the body skeleton can be divided into two sections: the axial (i.e., skull, spine, and ribs, residence of the CORE) and the appendicular (i.e., pectoral and pelvic girdles, and limbs). This division is reflected in our nonverbal communication, as well. And as non verbal cues, movements of the body CORE (axial ) are more fundamental as mood signs than are our hand, arm, and leg motions. Both in the evolution of the species and development of the fetus in the womb, this important area develops first, long before consciousness and intention, even before emotions and certainly before judgment and rational thought. All else is built on top, sequentially.nnThe core body and brain (spinal cord, brain stem, and primitive brain) contain devices to process smell-related cues, touch, locomotion (e.g., for the rhythmic, alternating movements of walking), and chemical arousal (as in the fight or flight response) .nnThe “girdles” of the appendages, the shoulder and pelvic girdle are next and most closely associated with the amphibian brain and the development of against gravity movement, hearing and vision and responses to visual and auditory stimuli, still reflexive rather than deliberate. Think of shrugging the shoulders to the stimulus of loud and annoying sounds. The reptilian brain and the development of appendages brings the addition of “posturing” or the use of arms and legs to indicate submission, domination etc.nnAnd finally the “mammalian brain” adds consciousness, the development of fine motor skills. From basic hand signals, the mammalian cortex develops language. It is at this point that learning and memory also develop. Facial expression and hand movements come from this stage.nnBody Language and Body PosturennBody language feedback allows all levels to communicate, therefore the thoughts and emotions can feed-back and effect the position of the body core. (Can you tell by looking if a person is depressed? Body core curled up , shoulder girdle slumped, arms flexed in defensive position?) At the same time, the body CORE is the most fundamental. And to truly change one’s outlook on the world, it is wiser to address the body CORE first than to paste a smile on one’s face or develop the elaborate art of hand gesture. (Although, these can also be effective in influencing emotion...try to stay angry while smiling broadly...it’s not easy). But, in a tense situation, e.g. a political debate or corporate board meeting, the truest body language cues come from the core, not the face and hands.nnPilates and the Generation of Emotional and Mental StrengthnnPilates strengthens the core, increases awareness of its role in movement and breathing and increases flexibility and the ability to integrate core movements into all other activities. And following that, the other components: girdles, appendages, face and hands can more easily express who and what we really are and who and what we wish to become , as they build on the core expression. Practice makes habit, and although it is difficult to hide emotions presented by the body core, one can practice core movements that eventaully change the way one feels and thinks. So, instead of emotions leading the body, the body leads the mind and its emotions.nnYou no longer have to “paste” a smile on your face , because the position and movements of your body CORE influence emotions and thoughts to be positive. And you thought Pilates was just about being tall, lean and toned!nnBonnie Clancy, instructor of West Coast Pilates at Blue Skies Bodyworks,Sanibel, Florida is an ACE certified personal trainer with an 11 year background in occupational therapy and post-rehab, cardiac and sports conditioning.n