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Leg Pull Back on the Mat

You do not have to lift your leg. You can get into the position and just hold and think about lifting each leg. One day they will lift on their own!

  • Author: Lesley Logan
  • January 6, 2019
Leg Pull Back on the Mat - Online Pilates Classes
Table of Contents

Leg Pull Back on the Mat

Leg Pull Back on the Mat - Online Pilates Classes
  • Difficulty: Advanced
  • Equipment Needed: Mat (The mat shown in this video is the Contrology Folding Mat.)
  • Reps: 3 each side
  • Warning: Be mindful if you tend to lock your knees.
  • Questions: Contact us here

Leg Pull Back on the Mat

Some exercises are better in pairs and the Leg Pulls are one of those dynamic duos! This is the second half of the pairing on the Pilates Mat and requires more than you might think. First, if you tend to hyperextend your knees, give them a little softening and then press your heels into the mat more as you curl your tail towards your heels and lift your seat higher. You will be tempted to skip this bad boy for another exercise. But, the more you focus on what’s holding you up the stronger you’ll be on the Reformer and other places in the Pilates studio.

Soften your knees and elbows. Hold yourself up from your backside!

Typically you would go from being in the plank to magically being in your Leg Pull Front. Ok, so maybe it’s not magic but a few carefully choreographed movements. From your Leg Pull take one hand to the other hand then cross that same foot in front of the other. Stand on the hand you moved, press into your feet to lift your seat and then flip over! Land on both hands, adjust your feet and then reach your seat to your heels as you lift your hips up. Look straight ahead and feel whats touching the mat. Meet your mat and lift your hips.

Once you feel you are set up in your back and your seat, press into one leg lift the other one. Set it down and repeat on the other side. If you go to lift a leg but feel like your body couldn’t support you lifting a leg then keep both legs down and then talk yourself through the movement. Press into your right foot and imagine picking up your left leg. Then repeat on the other side. One day your seat will be strong enough for you to lift a leg and switch. When you are done kicking or thinking about kicking do not rest. Get ready for your Kneeling Side Kick!

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.

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>> 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.

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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>> 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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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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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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