- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Equipment Needed: Magic Circle, Mat (The magic circle shown in this video is the Ultra-Fit Circle and I love using the Contrology Folding Mat.)
- Reps: 5-10 each variation
- Warning: Some variations may not be suitable for neck issues.
- Questions: Contact us here
Ab Series with the Magic Circle on the Mat
The Series of 5 on the Pilates Mat, aka the Ab Series, is a great set of exercises to never skip! But, sometimes it’s hard to connect to your inner thighs, outer hips, upper back and more! Adding a prop to your Pilates practice is not just to make it harder. It’s actually essential for you to connect deeper to your practice and then for you to take it away and see if you can maintain those connections without the prop being there. In this case, we are using the Magic Circle to find all the different challenges you need to do the Ab Series.
Choose the one you need your body to learn. Then, take the prop away.
There are several ways to use the circle with the abdominal series on the Mat. For Single Leg Stretch on the Mat you can use the circle in your hands and pull it down over your bent knee. Or, make it harder for you to keep your chest up and reach the circle over your head.
Double Leg Stretch you can place the circle in your hands and challenge your upper back connection, between your ankles to connect to your inner thighs or outside your ankles to challenge your seat.
Single Straight Leg Stretch can use the same upper back connections and hold the circle up to the sky and your leg can aim to kick it. Or, place both legs inside and scissor-switch.
Double Straight Leg Stretch easier is to put the circle inside the ankles. Really hard is to go outside the ankles. And a different kind of challenge is in the hands.
Criss Cross you can simply switch side to side holding the circle in your hands. Harder is to put the circle pad on one knee and the other pad on your opposite elbow and then pulse your elbow and knee together.
Don’t do all of these at once. Choose the one you need your body to learn. Then take it away.
Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Mat exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Mat training!
