One of the biggest physical complications women have is a loss of core strength. Core strength is so important, as the core of the body is the foundation and powerhouse for all movement. When the core is weak, the whole body is weak, and the core supports the spinal/skeletal system and the muscular system. If you’re wondering if your core needs strengthening, there are some signs you can look for: increased back pain (and/or an overarched back), decreased balance, poor posture.
An obvious cause of this is pregnancy and childbirth, but other things can cause this as well in both men and women. Desk jobs are rough on the core because sitting for prolonged periods changes the shape and mechanics of certain muscles. Excessive abdominal fat can also be a contributing factor. If you are generally deconditioned (i.e. out of shape), this will also lead to a general lack of strength, including in the core.
At the Wellness Workshop, we are very concerned and committed to core strength, and we spend a lot of energy focusing on rebuilding it. This is a personal favorite challenge of mine, both as a fitness instructor and as a woman. I’ve personally experienced both sides of the coin-- a weak and destroyed set of core muscles and diastasis recti from a twin pregnancy and birth with long term back and hip pain with associated knee and ankle pain, and a rebuilt core, accompanied by painlessness, and being able to jump on the trampoline with my kids without peeing my pants!
Yoga was my salvation in this regard, and will always be my first and deepest love on a fitness level, but I’ve since learned that a lot of different types of movement can provide this kind of life changing support. All our movement here at the Wellness Workshop integrates spinal and core integrity with a primary goal of increasing core and pelvic floor strength. Of course, core exercises and planks are great for rebuilding those muscles, but it’s also great to learn how to activate and engage the core in all movement, and how to use breath to facilitate the mind body connection.
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