One Standing Arm Springs exercise on the Cadillac that Joseph Pilates would always have people do when they were ready with a combination of two move. Combo with Standing Arm Springs can be done on the Pilates Cadillac or Tower. It looks easy. Then you do it. And you realize that if you let go of your connections when the springs lose tension you will have a hard time going from one move to the next. When learning this exercise feel free to start with just part one. Then learn part two. And when ready put the two together.

Face the springs. Stand with heels together and toes slightly apart. Start at a challenging position for a Chest Expansion. Place one handle in each hand with the entire palm pressing into the handle.

Part 1: Press your arms back like you would in Chest Expansion. Then flip your palms, lift bent elbows to the height of your shoulders. Without pulling on the handles from your biceps, lean your whole body back. Lift back up so your shoulders are over your hips and heels. Then flip your palms and press your arms back to do another Chest Expansion. Reach the arms forward and repeat: elbows up, full body lean and lift back up. Repeat. Part 2: Take your feet parallel and hip distance apart. Hold elbows up at shoulder height with palms facing you. Standing in all four corners of feet, squat down. Without hanging off the springs or pulling on them from your biceps, stand back up, flip your palms and reach arms to the floor under shoulders. Keeping your hips over your heels, pull your handles to your ankles. Then reach arms back under shoulders and round back up. Flip your palms, lift your elbows up and repeat.