- Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
- Equipment Needed: C-Shaper (I love using the Balanced Body C-Shaper.)
- Reps: 3-5
- Warning: May not be suitable for those with low back issues.
- Questions: Contact us here
Rolling Like a Ball on the C-Shaper
Rolling Like a Ball on the Mat in Pilates can be done on other apparatus. Rolling Like a Ball on the Pilates C-Shaper teaches you if you’re throwing yourself back, over-rounding your upper back or under-rounding your lower back. You could be collapsing your round shape when you go back and the C-Shaper will reveal these disconnections or “cheats.” What’s so great about using the C-Shaper is that after you get the feeling of what it should feel like because the C-Shaper is round it helps you understand what it should feel like on the Mat. Once you’ve got the connections hit your Mat to challenge what you learned.
Focus less on rocking back & more on rounding up while keeping length.
Sit towards the front of the C-Shaper and bend your knees into your chest. The C-Shaper will help you sit just behind your tailbone so you’re not pitched too far forward. Place once hand on each shin. Elbows bend and pulling wide. Hug your heels together and your toes and knees apart. Push your shins forward into your hands and pull on your shins from where your arms meet your back. This tension should create the opposition you need to maintain a strong ball shape.
Look towards your knees and pull your waist back without losing your length. Continue to pull your waist back as you rock back and round up. Catching yourself without your feet touching the mat. Repeat.
If you feel yourself slide down the C-Shaper or get stuck that feedback lets you know a bit about how you are Rolling Like a Ball.
Work your legs into your arms, arms into your legs and throughout the movement to help create the longest round shape.
It might feel like the hardest Rolling Like a Ball you’ll do. But it will help you maintain the work when you do it 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!