Yes you have voluntary core muscles and you can train them along with your pelvic floor muscles to better support your spine and your internal organs. A strong healthy back and core will allow you greater support during any activity.

Now for the anatomy lesson: Your deepest layer of abdominal muscle is your transverse abdominus. These muscle fibers run laterally across your belly and help to support your spine and internal organs. You can feel them contract when you laugh or cough. Your internal and external obliques run diagonally – as if you were to put your hands in your jacket pockets. They allow your spine to twist and also act as a lower back support. The rectus abs are the most superficial layer – what we think of as “six pack” abs. These run up and down from your lower ribs to the top of your pelvis.

In Pilates we are working to strengthen the deeper abdominal muscles to better support your back. All of your core muscles are voluntary and they along with your pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened through specific exercises.

Try this: Lay on your back and rest one hand on your lower belly. Engage your lower abdominal muscles to gently pull your belly button in towards your spine. Now slowly lift your chin towards your chest (support your head with your other hand if needed). Stop at the point where you feel you abdominal muscles pop up into your hand. Come back down and try this again. Once you can do this move with a flat belly then you can graduate to a full sit up.

This mini-crunch allows you to strengthen your abdominal wall from the inside out working as efficiently as possible. Remember your low back should never hurt while doing ab work.

Mmmm Georgia peaches…

These recipes are fabulous! There will be Georgia peaches on the grill this weekend!

Keep up the good work!