- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Equipment Needed: Small Barrel (I love using the Small Barrel.)
- Reps: 3-5
- Warning: Not ideal for some neck and low back issues.
- Questions: Contact us here
Rocking on the Small Barrel
Rocking on the Pilates Small Barrel is a great place to practice Rocking to better your Mat Rocking. Rocking is an exercise that is tempting to use your head to rock! But, working on the Small Barrel or Spine Corrector will help you see that if you use your head you’ll slide right off. Or get stuck. You’d do Rocking on the Small Barrel if you were already on the Small Barrel for Swan and Swimming. Or, you didn’t have a Spine Corrector or the height of the Spine Corrector makes you nervous.
The more the arms are connected to the back the stronger the rocking!
Typically done from Swimming by reaching the arms and legs forward, Simultaneously bending both legs as you circle the arms back and grab the ankles. If resetting, lay on the apex with the belly button just in front of it. Hands on the mat, reach the tailbone for the heels and the legs up. Lift one arm forward then the other to find a balance. Then bend both knees as you circle your arms back and grab your ankles. Feet are pointed. Chest is reaching forward. Gaze is forward. Neck is long.
Pushing the legs back the chest will lift up more because the arms are connected to the back. Then lift the legs up and the chest will rock forward. Lift the chest up and the legs will work back. Continue to rock using the back of the legs to rock on your center. When done reach the arms forward and the legs back. Find on superhero position and then rest. Let the barrel stretch your back.
Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Small Barrel exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Small Barrel training!