Do any of you do pilates?

[katherine1975]

Hi. Just been watching Enjoying Dressage with Richard Davison and the physio suggested pilates for riders. I have heard that pilates is good for riding, am only a happy hacker at the moment but we are working towards doing a lot more.
I have seen a beginners class on Wed morning at my local sports club and thought I might give it a go!

 

[TangoCurly]

Not sure whereabouts in devon you are, but i go to a 'Pilates for horse riders' class on a Weds evening nr Taunton. PM me if you want more info

 

[galaxy]

how funny, I literally went to my 1st class last night!!!!

I have had a bad back since a teenager, saw all sorts of doctors who coudn't find anything wrong and last ditch attempt ended up at a chiropractor who I have been seeing for 8 years every 6 weeks and now get no pain. However, I know I put more weight on the right stirrup and find it difficult to sit on my left seat bone and use my left leg inwards.

A friend of mine runs pilates classes and I spoke to my chiro who said it was a very good idea. I do have a strong core and he straightens me up every 6 weeks, but my body wants to hold me wonky!

Last night I discovered I have good posture, flexibilty and core. But we did one exercise which only moves your hips. right hip... no problem. Left hip, I absolutely could not move it!!!!! I only could if I contorted my pelvis. My friend is also a physio and had a look and said it absolutely links in to all my ridden issues. The final stretch exercises showed my muscles were tight down my right hip and thigh, and she said this would have been because of the extra strain I put on that leg compensating for my immobile left hip.

So I throroughly recommend it. I am really hopeful that I with work I will mobilise my hip and it will help my riding

 

[katherine1975]

TangoCurly - have PMd you.

Galaxy23 - sounds great. I have had saddle issues with my round cob and saddle slipping, we have finally sorted this out but I always feel like my right stirrup is longer than the left and think I may have hip issues like you. We do have occasional lessons and I am always looking for ways to improve my riding, sounds like this could help a lot.

 

[karen_c]

Not yet, but I've found a class near me on a Saturday afternoon which starts up in a couple of weeks so planning to give it a go Would be interested to hear how you get on....