Zip. Belt. Button
When I teach a class I constantly use this phrase, Zip, Belt, Button. What does it mean?
Zip. Imagine putting on a pair of snug jeans and you have to suck (scoop) in your stomach to zip them up. That’s zip – scooping the abs in.
Belt. Imagine a belt on a pair of high wasted pants (because in todays world the belt is where the zipper used to be and zipper is, well!)
Anyway, tighten up a belt around your mid-section. Cinch your waist in to give yourself that hour-glass figure.
Button. I use this term when I mean pull your ribcage in and slightly down. Again, the visualization is buttoning up a snug coat that you have to pull your ribcage in and down. Coughing or Laughing also help you “button”. A corset is also a good visual, because we never leave home without our corsets on anymore, right? 🙂
The point is to keep your abdominal wall pulled in to support your back and spine. As you go about your daily activities catch yourself and ask if you are zipped up, belted up and buttoned up!
The original “song” was Zip, Belt, Vest, Tape Measure. This saying came from Kathy Grant, a Pilates Elder. Since Tape Measure isn’t really relevent anymore, I switched to saying buttons. Vest was reminding you to drop your shoulders down.
Happy Zipping! Zip! Zip! Zip!