BlindAlive.com

Accessible Fitness, more choices for more people

Fitness has always been a concern with regard to both mental and physical health regardless of age, gender, or any other variables that make each one of us unique. And for those in the blind community, fitness is every bit as much—if not more—important.

Exercise for the visually impaired is something that should be incorporated into a weekly, if not daily, routine for a variety of reasons that are both similar and different from people within the sighted community. For those with total loss of sight as well as for those who are low sighted, a lack of regular exercise can bring on a host of other issues, including weight gain, sluggishness, and perhaps worst of all for many, insomnia or a circadian rhythm that has been thrown completely off track.

A quality workout done at the right time of day and at the right pace to meet your unique physical and mental needs is just what the doctor may have forgotten to order. For many blind people, fitness has been a challenge: without someone to guide you and without the ability to drive yourself to the gym, it becomes obvious why so many visually impaired individuals give up—but with the BlindAlive line of Fitness Workouts for blind people, you’ll never have to depend on anyone else again.

Yoga and Strength Training with wieghts for blind people along with a variety of other cardiovascular exercises help our bodies stay toned, help us gain muscle mass and lose weight, but most of all, can help lead a blind person away from a sense of helplessness.

Are you ready to sweat? Come get healthy and leave all your notions of not being able to get fit due to your visual impairment behind with BlindAlive!

What Is Pilates, and Why Do We Want To Do It?

September 27, 2015  /  Mel Scott

Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates, thus the name. He developed exercises to resolve health problems in his own body.  He was born in Germany in 1883 and he brought his unique method to the United States in 1926. His first studio was located in New York City.

The Pilates method is based on the premise that the trunk of the body is like the trunk of a tree. A tree trunk must be strong and tall to support its limbs and so must the human body. The limbs of our bodies are controlled from our core or trunk. The Pilates method consists of precise movements which strengthen and stretch mainly the abdominal muscles and all the muscles of the pelvis, hips, and back. The idea is to create a strong, flexible center of control for the whole body.

Dancers and athletes of all kinds have been using the Pilates method for decades to enhance their performance and to prevent injuries. Now Pilates has been discovered for its health benefits and it’s everywhere.

I discovered Pilates for myself in 2006. I was having some weakness in my back and I needed a gentle way to regain my strength. I performed the exercises faithfully and they helped my posture, waistline, and the back pain went away. In 2007 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and needed surgery. I wanted to enter surgery from a place of strength so Pilates and yoga were my main daily routines. They helped my body be strong and they helped to quiet the fear of what was to come. I went into surgery from a powerful place and my healing was quick and complete.

I strongly believe that Pilates is an essential part of a complete health routine and I want it to be accessible to everyone. BlindAlive will be releasing three Pilates workouts over the next several weeks. I am super excited to offer these toning and invigorating exercises. The first one will be a chair routine and will be gentle but effective. The next two will be mat routines and will be increasingly more challenging.

Newsletter subscribers will be the first to know when Pilates and other new offerings are released. If you are not subscribed, you may sign up from BlindAlive’s homepage. www.BlindAlive.com If you have friends who would find this information helpful, I’d love it if you would tell them how to subscribe. Once you have responded to the confirmation email, you will receive a free subscribers-only download – a ten-minute morning stretch – an ideal way to start your day.

Pilates is a fantastic way to feel better about your body and yourself, and to increase your strength and flexibility.

We hope you will enjoy some or all of the Pilates workouts as much as we are looking forward to bringing them to you. In the meantime, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube and sometimes Periscope.

 

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