What You Should Know If You've Ever Thought of Practicing Aerial Conditioning

I have a friend who is working really hard to strengthen her core and her upper body. She also wants to cultivate balance and get a full range of movement. I think she is also seeking that powerful mind/body connection that so many people crave. I applaud her because she is spending hours, and hours and hours working to achieve those fitness goals.

I have to tell you, I want the same outcomes, but I sure don't want to spend 20 hours a week working out. Since I am always researching new ways to stay fit, I got pretty excited when I learned about Aerial Conditioning classes. I mean, even the name seems pretty neat, right?

It seems like classes for Aerial Conditioning are popping up like the proverbial mushrooms. Little wonder once you understand the benefits. Want a stronger core and upper body; balance and a full range of movement? Of course! Aerial conditioning classes are great for anyone wanting to gain strength and endurance, as well as increase flexibility and coordination.

With Aerial Conditioning classes you embrace gravity while defying it simultaneously. That certainly puts a fun, new twist to working out. Aerial conditioning also emphasizes awareness of breath, dynamic alignment and efficiency as a source of power.

I was curious about Aerial Conditioning and how anything this fun could be so beneficial. After checking out some of the research I found that Aerial Conditioning classes can:

• gently lengthen the spine after those daily tasks that can compress it
• realign any imbalances in your spine
• help you avoid back, neck and joint compression
• support you in building core muscle strength to assist in strengthening the back
• increase your muscle flexibility, balance and agility
• lengthen your muscles and mobilize your joints through their full range of movement
• improve the mind-body connection by enhancing both coordination and balance
• improve your heart and lungs ability to work together
• enhance your spatial and sensorial awareness
• relieve tension in different parts of the body
• heighten the efficiency of your cardiovascular function
• flatten your stomach and diminish any "love handles." Want to guess what that does to your self image?

The benefits are amazing. Of course, I also wondered how Aerial Conditioning gets these outcomes. Stay with me for a moment because there is a bit physiological science involved. Without the spine we would be just a blob of formless tissue and organs sitting in a heap on the floor. The spinal column is our body's support system that allows us to move and bend and flex.

Our spine is actually constructed of 24 bones, called vertebrae and fluid-filled sacks, called discs, that create a soft cushion between the vertebrae to stop them from rubbing against each other. There are also ligaments that hold each vertebra together and attach bone to bone.

And then there are the tendons that attach the muscles to the vertebrae. All of these physiological components work together to create and allow bodily movements, while at the same time protecting the spinal cord. And it is the all-important spinal cord that passes information from our brain to the rest of our body - the muscles, bones, organs. This is why a healthy spine is imperative to live an active and robust life.

Still with me? Here is what you might not be as aware of. Performing daily, seemingly benign tasks such as sitting, walking and running causes the spine to compress. So Aerial Conditioning gently helps to re-lengthen the spine, and re-fill the discs to improve cushioning of the spinal column, which in turn will help to realign the spine.

So where can you go to experience such important health benefits from Aerial Conditioning? LAB5 Fitness in the Capitol Hill area of Seattle (http://www.LAB5Fitness.com)is a perfect example of the new broad-range fitness centers offering Aerial Conditioning classes. So don't hesitate any longer - sign up for a class and begin enjoying the fabulous health benefits of Aerial Conditioning!

Alan Cashman is currently Chairman of the board of directors of Fortune Bank Mr. Cashman formerly served as President of Administrative Systems, Inc. (ASI) from its founding until 2007. Mr. Cashman founded ASI in 1990 as a licensed third party administrator providing back office systems and support to insurance companies. Mr. Cashman also served as Chairman of The Balanced Program, Inc., (BPI) from its founding until 2007. http://budurl.com/l5fapril12article

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