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Beats with Leg Springs on the Cadillac

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  • June 26, 2022
Beats with Leg Springs on the Cadillac or Tower - Online Pilates Classes
  • Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
  • Equipment Needed: Cadillac or Tower, Leg Springs (I love using the Contrology Cadillac.)
  • Reps: 3 sets of 8
  • Warning: Not ideal for some back or knee issues.
  • Questions: Contact us here

Beats with Leg Springs on the Cadillac

Pilates Beats in the Leg Spring series on the Pilates Cadillac or Tower are an incredible teaching exercise for many other Pilates exercises on the mat, especially Reformer as well. It’s tempting to focus on speed and choreography. But the truth is if you go too fast you lose all the effectiveness of this exercise. Go too slow and you’re going to miss out on the challenge. Finding the balance in creating swift and controlled beats is going to be the key to leveling up your Pilates practice. Watch the springs on this one. If they are swing open but your legs are hugging closed you and the springs need a pause, regroup and work together.

Reach into the springs as you open and close. Springs follow the legs.

Typically you would do Beats after you do Walking or Bicycle in your Leg Springs series. If setting up just to do Beats then lay on your back with head towards the Leg Springs a hands distance from the edge of the mat. Too easy slide out away from the edge and work your strength to straight arms. If coming from Walking or Bicycle start with knees bent, feet in straps and heels together knees apart. Make sure strap is around the arch of your foot. Press entire foot into the strap.

Frog out till legs are at a high diagonal. Hold the legs reaching into the springs there and begin to open the legs and close them. Repeat for 8 beats. Hold the legs still for 8 counts and if possible lower the legs part way for a 2nd round. Then lower again towards the mat and repeat the 8 beats and 8 count hold. If you cannot lower your legs then repeat at the most challenge height. Hug the heels together and Frog back in when done. Make sure the heels come together for each beat. And focus on the springs opening with your legs and closing with your legs. You’ll open about a hips distance or close to as wide as the mat. It’s not about being huge in the beats. Instead, focus on control.


Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Cadillac exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Cadillac training!

By Lesley Logan

Lesley Logan, a 2nd generation certified Pilates teacher, breathwork, habits and mindset coach, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise tutorials, where you can also find weekly Pilates classes and workshops. Teaching Pilates since 2008, she has run multiple studios, has trained hundreds of people to become teachers themselves and has taught thousands of students around the world. When not teaching from her studio in Las Vegas, Lesley she’s hosting her podcast Be It Till You See it or traveling the world leading Pilates retreats. Connect with Lesley on Instagram @lesley.logan or through the contact page on this site.

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SSSSNAKE & TWIST

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

On the reformer, there’s an exercise called Snake, and another exercise called Snake & Twist. We’ll build our connections throughout our practice to those 2 exercises. You’ll see how many exercises in your practice are already preparing you for those exercises, or maybe what’s missing that you need.

On the mat, we’ll build up to the Side Bend exercise, and add some variations that are like the Snake exercise on the reformer, or the Snake & Twist exercise on the reformer.

See you in class,
Christine

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, foam roller for one exercise variation, so if you don’t have a foam roller, no worries. Repeat the Side Bend exercise, or any variation, or any exercise we’ve already practiced and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


STRETCH THE BODY'S TENDON

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

An exercise many are ready for but gets a little scary to do is the Tendon Stretch on the Reformer. Mat lovers I got you!! Its your Open Leg Rocker, Double Straight leg stretch and something special I've got for you!!!

No matter which class you take we are going to explore how we stretch from our heels to the crown of our head, our body's tendon! We'll also cover where to look in exercises

No props needed.

See you in class,
xx-LL

IT FEELS GOOD

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

My teacher Jay will often say to me or others who study with him "I can feel how good that feels." Meaning, even though he's in a chair, on zoom and for the most part not doing some of the exercises we are doing anymore the way we are doing the exercises looks like it feels freaking awesome. And so this week I want us to focus less on perfection and more on are we enjoying our practice so much that someone else would want to join us. AKA its our q3 check in!

Grab your pen and paper so that after class you can write down what feels good. And what isn't (yet) and then share it with me in our group so we can be inspired to create classes to support your practice where it is.

Props needed on the Mat and Reformer are personal preference.

See ya in class,
xx-LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


SSSSNAKE & TWIST

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

On the reformer, there’s an exercise called Snake, and another exercise called Snake & Twist. We’ll build our connections throughout our practice to those 2 exercises. You’ll see how many exercises in your practice are already preparing you for those exercises, or maybe what’s missing that you need.

On the mat, we’ll build up to the Side Bend exercise, and add some variations that are like the Snake exercise on the reformer, or the Snake & Twist exercise on the reformer.

Mat Prop: Foam roller for one exercise variation, so if you don’t have a foam roller, no worries. Repeat the Side Bend exercise, or any variation, or any exercise we’ve already practiced.
Reformer: no props

See you in class,
Christine

STRETCH THE BODY'S TENDON

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

An exercise many are ready for but gets a little scary to do is the Tendon Stretch on the Reformer. Mat lovers I got you!! Its your Open Leg Rocker, Double Straight leg stretch and something special I've got for you!!!

No matter which class you take we are going to explore how we stretch from our heels to the crown of our head, our body's tendon! We'll also cover where to look in exercises

See ya in class,
xx-LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


WRISTS, HANDS, FINGERS, NOW WHAT?

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

It’s so interesting how what we do with our fingers can make an exercise feel different! In this week’s workouts, we’ll play with the placement of our wrists hands and fingers to feel how the placement changes the connections we get to our upper back and ultimately or center.

Props: Pole

See you in class,
Megan

BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE

Online Mat, Reformer, Tower/Cadillac & Wunda Chair Pilates Class Descriptions:

“It’s showtime!”

We’ll do 3 reps of each exercise and then banish it from the rest of the workout…UNLESS one of your teachers shouts out “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” - if this happens, they might bring back one of the exercises you’ve already done!!! Let’s hope it’s one you love and not one you were hoping would stay banished!

No props needed.

See ya in class,
xx-LL

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, TOWER/CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Rolling Exercises are all over our Pilates practice! And from different positions! Sometimes we’re lying on our backs, standing or sitting. No matter what position we’re in, or what equipment we’re using, being able to roll through some or all of the spine helps us with flexibility, balance, and posture.

Props needed:
Mat: squishy ball or bolster and dowel
Reformer: pole, ball and grip pad
Tower: none
Chair: none

See ya in class,
xx-LL

SUCH A TEASE

ONLINE MAT & REFORMER PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Teaser is probably one of the most photographed exercises in Pilates. Which makes people think it's a "peak pose." But, it's anything but! It's simply another layer to your Pilates practice. This week we will acknowledge how each exercise contributes to your ability to do Teaser (someday) and then how Teaser teaches you where to get curious in your practice.

On the Mat we will use light weights for one round of Teaser as they can be helpful for those still adding into their practice.
No props on the Reformer.

See you in class,

xx~LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights and a Mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

FALL BETTER

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

My goal in teaching Pilates is to help you fall better! And, also so you can use a bathroom anywhere in the world. The truth is you're gonna trip. You are going to miss a step. But, we can train our body to respond to these instances and skip the fall altogether. Or, if we do fall land better!

No props needed.

See ya in class,
xx-LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


1, 2, BUCKLE MY SHOE

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Do you remember this nursery rhyme?

Well, by the time we do
buckle shoes - HIPS & REACHING
shut doors - ROTATIONS, PUSH & PULL
pick up sticks - STRENGTH & STRETCH,
lay ‘em straight - ALIGNMENT
… then start all over again - HA! We’re doing Pilates!
And that’ll be our focus as we apply this kids’ rhyme to our Mat and Reformer classes.

Please have a resistance loop. (A tied Theraband or leggings work great, too)

Extra points if you sing along!

See you in class,
Tami

UP, UP, & AWAY

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

We are all going to feel like Super Humans after this month!!

Whenever I’m in a hard exercise (for me) where I’m holding myself up with my arms and reaching my legs away I picture myself with super human strength!!! I can do ANYTHING! It makes me smile and helps me stay STRONG.

This month our exercise is Up Stretch and when you think about it - reaching your legs away and staying strong over the carriage may feel a lot like flying!

We’ll be focusing on stabilizing our strong cores while staying equally balanced in our arms and legs. We are giving you some amazing building blocks by merging strength and stretch in all directions. You are going to get a little bit of everything that you can use to connect to your Up Stretch (and even your Roll Up and Knee Stretches Off).

Chair: Please have a foam roller and a balance pad available. We are going to challenge your balance safely.

xx-LL