Archive for the ‘Core Strength’ Category

In an online article posted on February 28th , 2010 for annarbor(dot)com titled, Ann Arbor Christian School Finds Yoga Balls Help Students Learn, freelance reporter Pamela Gossiaux visited a grade seven classroom which had taken to using yoga balls for sitting instead of chairs.

Better Memory & Ability To Focus

Besides the obvious fun factor the teacher brought the balls in after discovering that children “learn better in a dynamic environment that uses sensory input”. She also decided to use them because yoga balls and other products such as the Sitfit stimulate cross-lateral movement which forces the children’s bodies to compensate and make minor adjustments to remain balanced. These subtle adjustments stimulate both hemispheres of the brain which leads to better memory and ability to focus.

Improved Attention

The teacher, Janet Jansen, commented that prior to adopting the balls as chairs in the classroom students were typically lethargic and inattentive until approximately lunch time. After bringing in the balls she noticed that the students were more attentive and awake, which made a significant difference to the classroom environment.

Less Fidgeting, More Learning

One of the other benefits that quickly became apparent was a reduction in the amount of fidgeting such as squirming in the chairs, clicking pencils and other restless behaviors. The kids seemed more engaged and focused.

Improving Posture And Core Strength For Kids

With obesity and lack of exercise being such an issue in our schools the balls and products like the Sitfit bring a fitness component to the classroom as well. Sitting on a ball or a Sitfit forces the children to sit with proper posture and also engages and strengthens core muscles.

More information on the benefits of a yoga ball, Sitfit or Sitfit Jr. for kids can be found here.

If you’ve been wondering when you might possibly fit core stability exercises into your life, the Sitfit may be the answer.
A Sifit works the same as a ball without taking up the same amount of space.

Sitting for long periods places stress on the spine and compresses the discs. Many years of a desk job can lead to early degeneration for this reason. A Sitfit helps keep mobility in the lumbar spine for those with sedentary jobs or lifestyles. By creating an unbalanced base of support, it forces the core muscles to fire to keep you from falling off your chair, thus working your abs while you sit.
Excerpted from the Back2Health Chiropractic Newsletter written by chiropractor and Sitfit supporter Dr. Shelley Adams who was recently voted #1 chiropractor in this year’s “Best of Vancouver” reader’s poll in the Georgia Straight newspaper. For more on Dr. Adams and her practice, please visit: http://www.back2health.ca/adams.html

What’s the relationship between winter weather and a strong core you may ask. Well the two are actually closely connected. As the snow fell in Vancouver today I noticed people walking very gingerly. Why? They didn’t want to slip. When it comes to staying upright we usually think that it is simply a matter of putting one foot ahead of the other — and that’s true. The thing we usually don’t realize is that balance is largely due to our core strength. It is our core that keeps us vertical in any kind of weather. Without core strength supporting our upper bodies we would simply flop over. While there are many ways to build core strength, the easiest one I know is to sit on a Sitfit. Of course, I’m a little biased. But having used one for the past three years, I have experienced the benefits first-hand.