- Difficulty: Advanced
- Equipment Needed: Mat (I love using the Contrology Folding Mat.)
- Reps: 3-5 of each
- Warning: Not ideal for some knee issues.
- Questions: Contact us here
More Standing Exercises on the Mat
Standing Archival Pilates exercises are great when you don’t have access to a full Pilates Mat workout or when you are wanting to get your heart rate up, challenge your balance, and in this video your coordination. It’s important to add these in when you can to see how your balance is and how your Pilates practice is helping you move from your center when you are on your own two feet. After all, that is where we spend most of our time, life. In this video, explore a few more standing exercises. And make sure to check out the other standing exercises.
Reach into your feet from center as arms reach wide from your back.
In this video you’ll explore some more challenging of the Standing Archival exercises. You’ll also see several of the exercises you do lying down in these. For example, the Standing Side Lunge is similar to the Side Kicks Up and Down. The Ice Skater is your Saw and Boomerang. If you struggle to find these in your body make sure you explore the exercises that will help you build up to doing them standing.
Side lunge: With your feet wider than your hips and turned out, reach your arms wide from your back to the side. Bend your knee into a side lunge and make sure your knee tracks over your 2nd toe. Then hugging with both legs stand back up to two straight legs. Repeat on the other side. Continue going side to side 3-5x.
Ice Skater: Standing with your feet about a hips distance apart, arms wide to the side and heels lifted. Turn 180 degrees around. Your thighs will be crossed and hugging, you’ll be facing the other direction. Then bend your front knee, keeping the back leg straight as you reach both arms for your back foot. Lift up through your center, unwind and repeat to the other side. Repeat 2-3x each side.
Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Mat exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Mat training!