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Criss Cross (Ab Series 5/5) on the C-Shaper

Home  »  Pilates C-Shaper Exercises | Free Tutorials   »   Criss Cross (Ab Series 5/5) on the C-Shaper
  • November 27, 2018
criss cross (ab series 5) on the c shaper online pilates classes
  • Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
  • Equipment Needed: C-Shaper (I love using the Balanced Body C-Shaper.)
  • Reps: 3 sets
  • Warning: May not be suitable for those with low back issues.
  • Questions: Contact us here

Criss Cross (Ab Series 5/5) on the C-Shaper

Pilates Criss Cross exercise is a great introduction to twisting the spine. However, it’s quite a challenging exercise. Doing Criss Cross in the Pilates C-Shaper is a great place to gain feedback on the length of your spine as you twist and flex the spine. The C-Shaper reveals where you might be sinking on one side or losing flexion. We tend to do the twist from our neck or elbows and not from the waist. If you feel pockets of your back leaving the C-Shaper as you do the Criss Cross you can work on finding them to help better your Pilates Mat

Reach your legs from your center as you twist from your waist!

Typically done after doing Double Straight Leg Stretch on the C-Shaper. Your back finds the placement where you can take up the most space and get the longest flexion. Interlace your hands behind your head and press your head into your hands and hands into your head. Bend both knees into your center. Double check you’re not too low on the C-Shaper. You want the longest round shape not to just be comfortable in the C-Shaper.

Continue to pull one knee into your chest as you stretch the other leg out long. It can go as low as you can still hold onto it from your center. Typically eye level works well. Twist your shoulders over to your bent knee. Feel the length in the side you are twisting to. Use the C-Shaper to give you the feedback. Work your opposite armpit to your knee. Switch your legs as you twist to the other side. Elbows remain wide. It’s tempting to work the elbow to the knee instead of the armpit. Use the C-Shaper to reveal where you have length and strength and where you might be losing it.

After doing this on the full Ab Series on the C-Shaper give it a try on the Mat!

Be sure to check out more of my Pilates C-Shaper workout videos. I want to help you continue your Pilates C-Shaper 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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Megan Lauman

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Mindi Westfall

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Tami-Adrian George

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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