Star on the Pilates Reformer is more than a Side Bend on your Mat. It's more like your Long Stretch on your side or on one arm. It's a lot like your Side Kick series too. The exercise looks like it's all about your top arm and leg and what they are doing but its truly about your bottom side body. The stronger your standing leg is and its side body is the smoother this exercise will go. And, you don't have to do all of it at once. You can do this exercise in parts. Get the start position down and then add on as you ready.

With two heavy springs on and the carriage closed, place on hand towards the center of the foot bar. Your standing leg will go on the Reformer at an angle to the shoulder block closest to you. With the carriage closed, stand on your leg and upper back and lift yourself up and over your foot bar similarly to your Long Stretch exercise. Find length in your waist and reach from your seat into your shoulder block and your chest out through the crown of your head. Be sure you're lifting your bottom hip up.

To begin you can always hold this position or press the carriage out with your bottom leg and lift your top leg and arm up and then lower your arm and leg as you close the spring. Repeat 2-3x. You can stop there or add the arm and leg reaching forward as open the spring and then close the spring and return your arm and leg. Then reach your leg back and your arm forward as you open the spring. Then return the carriage and your arm and leg. Repeat 2-3 times. And then if you want to add a fancy dismount, circle your arm and leg up and around with the carriage closed and look past the arm that is holding you up to watch your top foot land on the floor. Bend over your leg that is on the carriage for an added stretch. Switch sides and repeat.