Latissimus dorsi muscles

Otherwise known as your lats — the latissimus dorsi muscles in your back are important for strength, posture, movement, and injury prevention. These are the large muscles that run from the mid/lower back up toward the upper arm.

A common mistake by a lot of people is to focus mainly on the chest and arm training while neglecting the back. Over time this imbalance can contribute towards poor posture and shoulder issues.

Why strong lats matter

Strong lats help stabilize the shoulders and spine. This can reduce rounded shoulders and improve overall posture, especially if you sit at a desk for long periods.

The lats connect into the thoracolumbar fascia of the lower back, so they contribute to trunk stability and coordinated movement between the upper and lower body.

Within our Pilates classes one of our go to sequences is the ‘Picture Frame exercise’ but here are a few others that you may wish to include into your daily/weekly sequences:

Here are 3 Classic Mat Pilates exercises for the lats

Swimming

One of the strongest lat-focused mat exercises.

Why it works:
The lats assist in extending the arms backward while stabilizing the shoulder blades during the alternating arm/leg lift.

Focus cue:
Reach the arms long from the back rather than lifting from the neck or shoulders.

Double Leg Kick

Combines back extension with shoulder opening.

Lat role:
The lats engage during the chest lift and arm reach behind the body.

Side Kick Series

Particularly when the head is supported by the arm.

Lat role:
The underside lat stabilizes the shoulder girdle and trunk against the floor.

Check out my APP for exercise examples of above…

Thank you to all those joining me on 24th July! The table is booked and excited for this Social Event to mark the end of the Summer Term!

Thinking Ahead to the August timetable

For those Subscribers that have been with me for a long time you will know that within the month of August -Public /Duo/Trio Studio classes in the day time and evening are on hold. This year I will be offering a limited number of extra sessions within my Steventon Studio during this period on a Wednesday and Thursday morning. These sessions will be for a 3 week block. There will be the opportunity to work as part of a Trio, using the small props alongside Classic Mat. These will include : Mini Ball, foam roller, Magic Ring, Sliders, Push Up bars and portable Reformer Bar. Lots of variety and fun!

Wednesday 12th, 19th and 26th August (£60)

9:30-10:30 am (3 spaces)

11- 12 noon (3 spaces)

Thursday 13th, 20th, 27th August (£60)

9:30-10:30 am (3 spaces)

Please drop me a line if you are interested and I will send you the booking code. As always these classes are offered on a first come first served basis. Many thanks!

Class Update

I am delighted and blessed to have completely fully booked Public and Studio classes this month - thank you to all my Subscribers for your on going support of my one woman Business- it means the world!

This podcast episode gave me the push towards looking at my own need for making time for creativity! It is a fascinating listen and the advice and guidance is pretty much accessible for us all as far as cost implications are concerned.

My mid year re set is to focus on quality down time in between work and family commitments. Drawing board is up and water-colours in place and looking forward to painting for pleasure again…

A change of scene!

I love my job but absolutely needed this mini break last week and it didn’t disappoint! Here is a glimpse of my time away- first night we stayed at Roundhill Camping site in the New Forest and being up close to the wild life was fantastic. Second Camper Van experience since Glastonbury Festival two years ago and am now hooked on this way of holidaying! Would also recommend Abacus Motor hire company in Andover- beautiful top of the range Adria Twin Supreme model with huge electric bed. Top tip- they do great deals when booked over ‘Black Friday’.

Circuit Training Manual 2

My second photo book arrived whilst away- ready for Circuit Classes this month. The first photo book was well and truly flicked through by Circuit clients for the Wunda Chair in May. Hoping this one for Ladder/Barrel will prove as beneficial for reminders of exercises when clients are working independently on the apparatus.

All classes resume this week and will continue until the end of the Summer Term (end of July).

Looking forward to Pilates time with each and every one of you this coming month x