Perennial shoulders problem, Psoas muscles, and a breakthrough???

[TarrSteps]

I can do the exercise either way . . ..or I'm doing it wrong.

 

[Custard Cream]

I've just had acupuncture in mine today and bloody painful it was too. Tightness was causing pain in my back down to my knee. Was also causing the leg to be a couple of holes shorter when I rode compared to the other leg.

 

[kerilli]

I can do the exercise either way . . ..or I'm doing it wrong.

show off.
i think the point is that you are ideally meant to use your psoas automatically to do it, but other muscles if you make the conscious choice to do so (as you are). if your other muscles do it automatically then the core-most ones are being lazy...

 

[Baydale]

It sounds as if we're all wonky and "speshul", one way or another; I guess unless you're a gymnast or OCD about body awareness and form - and dedicate a huge amount of time to that - then you're bound to be. I subscribe to the theory that we're all "broken" to some degree, probably from our twenties, if not earlier; therefore it's a case of managing what you've got and appreciating that you're unlikely to achieve perfection, merely functionality.

Btw I'm another one that's got Pilates on my list of Things To Do When I Get Time. Know of a place in Grantham that's meant to be very good if you're interested K?

 

[kerilli]

agreed Bd, but, from the book, the general gist is that using psoas is something that Good Riders Just Do, and don't even realise they're doing (hence they don't even think to suggest it to people who are struggling to sit upright)... it sounds as if Tina Sederholm is 1 of the very few who absolutely gets that the shoulders problem is NOT a shoulders problem, it's a symptom, and therefore she works to puts the root cause right.
btw i've had an extended RWYM session with Mary Wanless herself and she never mentioned it either...
Pilates sounds great but Grantham is a bit of trek for me unfortunately, KL is only 17 miles and i'm having enough of a job getting that far at the mo!

 

[TarrSteps]

I think I may have blown your theory, K.

 

[LEC]

Interesting stuff. I can do it without tensing my stomach but actually I think I have never had a problem with tipping forwards instead my issues seem to be in the tightness of my hips which I have to work really hard on. Not going to the gym or running has helped this!

 

[kerilli]

I think I may have blown your theory, K.

Nope, extreme modesty doesn't get you off the hook...

 

[kirstyhen]

After doing the test, I'm not sure this is my problem. I can do it both ways too. I must just have a heavy chest

 

[camilla4]

After doing the test, I'm not sure this is my problem. I can do it both ways too. I must just have a heavy chest

That is most definitely NOT my problem!!

 

[TarrSteps]

FYI I read a good review of this http://equestrianpilates.com/ recently. I know it's not the same as having someone monitoring you in person but perhaps at least a starting point or adjunct.

I know there is a book kicking around, too, which must be ten years old by now.

 

[embonaught]

Thanks for this K, I think it may have changed my life