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In the Air with Leg Springs on the Cadillac

Gain connections for Reformer exercises – Short Spine, High Frogs and Long Spine Massage with this series. It’s a great way to prepare your body and practice. 

  • Author: Lesley Logan
  • July 14, 2022
In-the-Air-with-Leg-Springs-on-the-Cadillac-or-Tower-Online-Pilates-Classes

In the Air with Leg Springs on the Cadillac

In-the-Air-with-Leg-Springs-on-the-Cadillac-or-Tower-Online-Pilates-Classes
  • Difficulty: Advanced
  • Equipment Needed: Cadillac or Tower, Leg Springs (I love using the Contrology Cadillac.)
  • Reps: 3-5 of each variation
  • Warning: Not ideal for some neck and shoulder issues.
  • Questions: Contact us here

In the Air with Leg Springs on the Cadillac

Leg Springs in the Air also known as Magician on the Pilates Cadillac or Tower are an amazing way to challenge what your body knows from Leg Springs. While Joseph Pilates didn’t have levels when it comes to his exercises. Leg Springs in the Air are advancement of Leg Springs. They are also a great way to prepare for Airplane. And, if you’re wanting to have more connections on your Reformer with Shortspine, High Frogs and Long Spine Massage this series of exercises is a great place to prepare your body and practice. Reach in two directions to have the most success!

Reach your arms from you upper back and your legs from your center.

Laying on your back with your arms straight or close to straight and reaching from your back into the vertical poles. Ideally, hands are slightly higher than shoulders. One leg springs loop on each foot and feet starting heels together and toes apart. Knees are also slightly apart to follow your toes. In between each variation bend your knees in and roll your hips down. The setup for each variation is the same. Focus on reaching your legs from your center and watch that your lower back isn’t trying to lift you higher. No matter what variation you are doing be sure to be reaching in two directions. While called Leg Springs in the Air it’s not just the legs.

Hugging your heels together reach your legs out to the high diagonal as you lift your hips and find yourself in a long line standing on your shoulders and the springs.


Circles: Maintaining your center where it is lift and open your legs then lower and close your legs 3-5x. Then reverse. Bend the knees in and lower your hips


Walking: Two options 1) Keeping your center exactly where it is reach one leg long and down about a foot’s distance while holding the other leg still. Then lower the other leg and repeat up to 6 steps. Then walk back up. Repeat 3 sets. 2) The whole body lowers as you “walk” down and as you walk up.


Bicycle: Reaching one leg long and holding your center hovering bend the other leg as you stretch it towards the mat without dropping your hips. Then switch. Repeat for 3 sets on each leg and then reverse.


Beats: Reaching your legs at the high diagonal open and close your legs 8x and then hold the legs together for 8 counts. Lower the legs and repeat 2 more times if possible.

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, NCPT, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise tutorial videos, where you can also find weekly online mat classes and workshops. When not teaching from her studio in Los Angeles, Lesley can be found traveling the world leading Pilates retreats, or offering Pilates business coaching to studio owners and other instructors through her private mastermind group. Connect with Lesley on instagram @lesley.logan or through the contact page on this site.

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SUCH A TEASE

ONLINE MAT & REFORMER PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

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No props on the Reformer.

See you in class,

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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.

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

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

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MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a ball and a resistance band, or just a magic circle and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a ball and a resistance band, or just a magic circle and a reformer!

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

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

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MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a squishy ball or stuffed toy 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.

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

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On the Mat, if you do struggle with balance go to a wall during the standing work or have a chair nearby. No extra props needed for the Reformer.

See ya in class,

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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.

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

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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.

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

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Props: Mat, have light weights nearby

See ya in class,

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MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, have light weights nearby 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.

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

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

Tops ‘N Tails (or Tops & Tails) is a wonderful expression I grew up with! It means being ready-to-go…from top to bottom, front to back, end to end! Isn’t that exactly what Pilates does for our minds and bodies? It encourages us to ready for any adventure that comes our way because our workouts use variety to engage the whole body, and to focus our minds.

This month’s Reformer workout will have us exploring Tops ‘N Tails by working from the ends of The Order. We’ll alternate exercises from the beginning and from the end of our usual routine for a challenging time! You’ll need your reformer box and pole.

On the Wunda Chair and Mat we'll be focusing on working from the top half or the tail half of our bodies! While every exercise requires the whole body. Setting ourselves up for success from the Top to the Tail makes the most difference!

On the Cadillac/Tower we will work on how the top half of the body helps to support the bottom half and vice versa! Pilates allows us to use the whole body to help with strength from Top to Tail! Let's explore how the springs on the Cadillac/Tower make us connect to the whole body in each exercise.

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋