When I first lay down to do my Pilates mat workout I stretch my toes and fingers as far away from each other as I can. My ribs splay out and my lower back arches off the mat. Sometimes I even yawn. It feels so yummy! But, this isn’t the reach we are looking for in our Pilates mat work. Not that your workout shouldn’t be yummy but your reach shouldn’t take you out of your powerhouse, your center. So, I pull myself together, connect to my center and pump for my hundred. But, how do I reach in two directions without pulling myself apart?
This week our mat work challenges us to find the opposition in each exercise but without letting go of where our strength comes from. I like to think of the Double Leg Stretch(pull) when I think of moving in two directions. You can view the double leg stretch here on my YouTube channel. As your arms are reaching back they are lifting and lengthening you away from your toes. This happens because your arms are connected to your mid back.
As your arms are reaching back they are lifting and lengthening you away from your toes. This happens because your arms are connected to your mid back.
As your legs reach away they are hugging tightly together and your seat is fired up and supporting them. This combo of inner and outer thigh allows your legs to connect to your core and for a single moment, you are suspended. This is the feeling we want to have in all of our Pilates work.
Join me this week beginning October 3rd 2 pm pst until the 4th 2 pm pst and feel the effects that reaching in two directions can give you. Register here and then grab a spot on your floor and reach deep into your Pilates practice.
xx~LL
PS. Next week we are bringing back the magic circle!
