Exercise form/posture question

Jewels211

In doing a stretch band exercise that was to work my chest, back, and arms, I noticed that my neck and upper shoulders were straining and getting tight, so I knew I was not standing correctly or not holding myself correctly or something, but nothing that I seemed to do corrected the problem. Now, about an hour afterwards, I guess it's my trapezoid muscle, especially on the left side, that is sore. Can anyone give me an idea of what I maybe need to correct to allow the correct muscles to do the work they're suppose to be doing?

The exercise was simply having the band across the back like about waist height and then to outstretched hands. The arms are extended straight out to the sides at shoulder height or below, and then hands come together in front of the body, arms still extended fully, then back out to sides. I know my stomach muscles are weak; could I have not been keeping my spine alligned correctly or something? Am I not standing straight enough? Or did I maybe not have my arms at the right height? I just can't figure what was making the strain land at my neck/shoulder?

melsinct

You can avoid neck/shoulder/back strain with proper posture. In pilates every movement is done with the correct posture so all of the strain is being absorbed by your core, primarily abs, taking the work away from your neck and shoulders. With that said, look up the correct pilates stance, which is "pull in abs" and shoulders down. Pulled abs means they are held tight, but not suck in your gut tight. Shoulders are kept back and down, head straight forward. It is almost impossible to screw up your neck/shoulders when in proper alignment.

Any pilates 101 type website should be able to walk you through what the correct form looks like. If you do your exercises with this posture, it should eliminate any pain you have next time.

Jewels211

Thank you! I'll check that out. I know I need to learn to hold myself correctly, just getting that down isn't easy for me for some reason. But my trapezoids need some relief, so I'll work on it!