What is Low Pressure Fitness?
LPF is a postural and breath training system that combines hypopressive techniques, myofascial stretching and neurodynamics. It was created by Dr Tamara Rial and Piti Pinsasch in Spain, in 2014, when the International Hypopressive & Physical Therapy Institute was founded. Before they took years of research and development of the method, based on hypopressive concepts, that evolved to become the Low Pressure Fitness training system.
Targeting mainly your deep core musculature: abdominals, pelvic floor, diaphragm and back muscles (multifidus). It is an alternative training focused on posture and core stabilisation. LPF complements other physical activity or therapeutic programmes to prevent core disfunction or potential injury caused by increased pressure in the abdominal cavity. Less intra-abdominal pressure is more effective for the body's self-girdle (abdominal oblique and transverse).
The main applications for LPF are: Health and therapy / Pilates and Yoga / Fitness and Sport / Postpartum rehabilitation.
The Three Pillars
Hypopressives
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Hypo = low
Pressive = pressure
Abdominal Hypopressive Technique (AHT) was created and developed by the Belgium doctor Marcel Caufriez in the 1980’s. He is an expert in rehabilitation and women’s health.
The hypopressive technique decreases the pressure in the abdominal cavity due to a tonic relaxation of the diaphragm, consequently a decrease in the activity of the small postural muscles fibres (type I) and a normalisation of the muscles’ tone of the airways and abdominal girdle.
The Hypopressive technique was adopted by bodybuilders, most famously Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane. It became popular as "abdominal vacuum" when posing, as it visually reduces waist size while simultaneously highlighting the thoracic muscles.
Yoga
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Recalling from Yoga, there is a hypopressive manoeuvre (widely known as Uddyana Bhandha) that practitioners have used for thousands of years. The benefits of which include diaphragmatic and visceral mobilisation, also respiratory strengthening. It increases abdominal muscle activation and at the same time decreases the pressure in the colon and abdominal cavity.
Uddiyanna = lift oneself
Bandha = elevated contraction
The technique is also known as the abdominal lock or "flying up lock".
This manoeuvre, used in asana and pranayama practice, controls the flow of energy (prana) in the body. Uddiyanna Bhanda is the second "lock'' of the three interior body locks, that mobilises (in a kind of suction effect) the organs in the abdominal cavity and the diaphragm.
Myofascial stretching & neurodynamics
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The fascia is a wrap of thready connective tissue that surrounds the whole body, every part of it: muscles, tendons, ligaments, tissues, organs, nerves, joints and bones. This internal structure provides support and mobility, also, more than that, it has nerves that make it almost as sensitive as skin. When stressed, it tightens up.
Sometimes, to get relief from pain in your back or any other part of the body where the muscles feel very tight, all you need is MOVEMENT and stretching combined with a good massage.
Myofascial stretching employs precise postures and highly coordinated movements to pick out the fascia tissue around specific muscles and joints. Combining with neurodynamics treatment techniques that stimulate and stretch the nerve tissue, the results are an ultimate release and relief of the pain or stiffness.
