Staying strong, mobile, and independent gets harder as we age - but Pilates expert and wellness enthusiast Nikki Jacobs says a few functional moves can make everyday life easier, from bending down to pick something up to climbing stairs.
“It’s taking the work into real life,” Jacobs explained during an appearance on Live in the D. The idea is simple: practice the postural strength and torso rotation on the mat, then carry it into daily movement. “Motion is lotion,” she said.
Jacobs demonstrated a progressive series - from the Abdominal 5 through single leg stretch, double leg stretch, single straight leg stretch, crisscross, and bicycle - showing both an amplified and a modified version of each move.
She was quick to reassure anyone who feels too old or too stiff to start. “Tati, I would say put your coffee down, go to the mat,” she said, adding that the key is to ease in. “Start slow. Always start slow.”
For Jacobs, the philosophy behind it all comes down to one idea: “Pilates isn’t about excess, it’s about access. Accessibility, not excess.”
She also noted the practical payoff of the practice: “This helps you organize your body and understand that you’ve got it.”
Followers can find more of Jacobs’ tips and moves on Instagram at her handle, @NikkiFayne.