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Criss Cross on the Mat

When doing the Criss Cross you will want to speed through and skip the good stuff. But, can you go a little deeper and twist a little more?

  • Author: Lesley Logan
  • June 10, 2018
Criss cross on the Mat - Online Pilates Classes
Table of Contents

Criss Cross on the Mat

Criss cross on the Mat - Online Pilates Classes
  • Difficulty: Beginner | Intermediate
  • Equipment Needed: Mat (The mat shown in this video is the Contrology Folding Mat.)
  • Reps: 3-5x each side
  • Warning: Listen to your body. When in doubt, leave it out.
  • Questions: Contact us here

Criss Cross on the Mat

Like Double Straight Leg Stretch, Criss Cross seems to have been added to the Pilates Mat practice after Joseph Pilates created his order. And, because it has so many elements of the rest of the work it’s common to do it with the rest of the ab series. I think Criss Cross is a great way to teach the body how to twist and bend. Something it will need when you get to Saw on the mat. And, while it’s hard to maintain a lift in your chest as you do your criss-cross it is much easier to do it here than when you are sitting up and your stomach is facing gravity like in Saw!

Twist, then a little more and a little more as you reach your leg away.

From Double Straight Leg Stretch keep your hands behind your head and pull one knee into your chest with your center. Stretch your other leg out long to the diagonal and then curl up and over to your bent knee. Like Saw, maintain the opposite hip on your mat and twist more. Then as you switch sides avoid the temptation to lower yourself towards the mat and roll over to the other side. Repeat this 3-5x each side.

Some things to watch out for on this exercise is the knee that is pulling in. Maintain it along your midline. It will want to cross your midline and make you think you are twisting when you are really just pulling your leg closer to your elbow. Press your hands and head into each other and pull the elbows wide. It’s tempting to bring your elbow to your knee and there are even those who will say “elbow to knee.” But, what they really mean is armpit or opposite chest to opposite knee. Each rep try to see how much you can really twist your waist and how far to the side you can really go without rolling!

Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Mat exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Mat 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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>> 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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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.

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

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

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

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>> 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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>> 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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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,

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