- Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
- Equipment Needed: Small Barrel (I love using the Small Barrel.)
- Reps: 3 sets
- Warning: May not be ideal for some hip or low back issues.
- Questions: Contact us here
Leg Series: Scissors on the Small Barrel
Scissors on the Pilates Small Barrel is like Scissors on the Spine Corrector and Cadillac. One leg is reaching and the other leg is reaching long and down. The challenge is to only pulse the bottom leg! That is the hardest part. Our bodies tend let our legs “fall” into a split. But it’s not about how flexible you are. In Pilates, we want equal balances of strength and stretch. Can you work one leg up (a great assist for your High Scissors) and one leg long and low without “hanging?” Find out on your Small Barrel and if possible work up to the Spine Corrector.
Work your legs long from your center, focus on strength over stretch!
Typically done from Beats, Frog legs out to high diagonal. If resetting, lay on the mat with barrel in front of hips, hands on handles and shoulders on the mat, gaze to ceiling. Lift your hips as if doing Rolling Like a Ball and pull barrel under hips. Hips on arch. Heels together toes and knees apart.
Frog legs to high diagonal. Reach one leg up to the ceiling and the other leg long and low. Only as low as you do not “hang” off your pelvis. Reach the top leg straight up and without moving it pulse the lower leg 1x towards the floor. Lift the lower leg back up to the ceiling and switch. Repeat.
If going well Frog in and then transition into Bicycle. Or, transition into Rolling In and Out.
Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Small Barrel exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Small Barrel training!
