- Difficulty: Intermediate/Advanced
- Equipment Needed: Ladder Barrel (I love using the Balanced Body Ladder Barrel.)
- Reps: 3
- Warning: Is not ideal for those with hip or low back issues.
- Questions: Contact us here
Leg Stretches Front 4 on the Ladder Barrel
Pilates Stretch Series often called Ballet Stretches on the Pilates Ladder Barrel is not only a great place to end a session. It’s also a great series to challenge where you move and work from. The Stretches Front Series has multiple parts. The final part the Leg Lift is not one many will attempt. And, it might take months or years to lift the leg from your center and not just your hip flexor. Or by hiking the hip. The Stretches Front Leg Lift is a great place to practice thinking about doing the exercise over actually doing it! And once you find the lift from your center it will change your Single Leg Circles, Tree and Control Balance for the better.
Thinking about the lift from your center is as good as doing the lift!
From your Strecthes Front Part 3 (Front/Back) lift your waist tall through the crown of your head. Work your shoulders over hips, hips over heels. With hips squared off and straight leg on the barrel reaching from your center (feel back of the leg and outer hip). Arms ideally draped behind the ladder with wide shoulders.
Without hiking a hip or using your arms reach the leg on the barrel out and up to lift the leg up and down 3x.
On the last lift reach the leg across the midline to the side of the barrel and transition your standing leg and torso to set up for Stretches Side. Skipping the Side version? On the final lift reach the leg across the midline and place the leg next to the other standing leg and repeat the Stretches Front series on the other side.
Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Ladder Barrel exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Ladder Barrel training!
