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Swimming on the Small Barrel

Home  »  Pilates Small Barrel Exercises | Free Tutorials   »   Swimming on the Small Barrel
  • July 2, 2024
Table of Contents
swimming on the small barrel online pilates classes
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Equipment Needed: Small Barrel (I love using the Small Barrel.)
  • Reps: 2-3 cycles of breathing
  • Warning: Not ideal for some neck and low back issues.
  • Questions: Contact us here

Swimming on the Small Barrel

Swimming on the Pilates Small Barrel is very similar to Swimming on the Spine Corrector and on the Reformer and Mat. However, you would use the Small Barrel if you’re already using it for other barrel exercises. Or, if you didn’t have a Spine Corrector or feared the height of the apex of the Spine Corrector. Swimming on the Spine Corrector will challenge your balance and require you to find length in your spine.

Work the up on each rep. The down will happen. Reach the heart forward!

Typically done from Swan on the Small Barrel because you set up from it. If you rested between exercises. Lay on your stomach, belly button slightly in front of the apex of the barrel. With hands on the mat reach your tailbone for your heels as you lift your legs up. It’ll feel like you are internally rotating your legs in. Reach one arm forward then the other. If you can’t balance slide back a little bit and try again.

Once balanced reaching the heart forward lift leg up and the opposite arm. Then switch the arm and leg. Always working the arm and legs up instead of down. While reaching the chest forward and up and the tailbone back.

From here you can rest or lift up and transition into Rocking.

Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Small Barrel exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Small Barrel 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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Tami-Adrian George

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Mindi Westfall

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Megan Lauman

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Lesley Logan

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Christine Kam-Lynch

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SUCH A TEASE

ONLINE MAT & REFORMER PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Teaser is probably one of the most photographed exercises in Pilates. Which makes people think it's a "peak pose." But, it's anything but! It's simply another layer to your Pilates practice. This week we will acknowledge how each exercise contributes to your ability to do Teaser (someday) and then how Teaser teaches you where to get curious in your practice.

On the Mat we will use light weights for one round of Teaser as they can be helpful for those still adding into their practice.
No props on the Reformer.

See you in class,

xx~LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights 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.

AROUND THE WORLD

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

We are going to have a little fun with how we flow through our workout using a movement style referred to as “around the world”. We’ll stay as true as possible to the original order while we take an exercise from the center-side-back-side or side-center-side and each time we do that we’ll have traveled around the world. Have fun and see if you can challenge your stamina to go “around the world” as many time as I teach. It’s going to be ambitious but super fun!

See you in class,
Megan

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, box, rod and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

LEAN ON ME

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

A while back people got really into wall Pilates. And, while most of the exercises weren't Pilates, Joe Pilates did give us some Wall exercises to help us understand our bodies more. Leaning on a wall or in our case using a wall to feel how our spine naturally lifts or rounds, is key for helping us be curious in our practice. We'll be using a wall in the beginning of our workouts. But, don't underestimate the power of your Mat and Carriage being a wall.

No props needed as our walls and equipment will be our tools.

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

A CURIOUS LITTLE MERMAID

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Have you ever tried to stack your legs while doing Mermaid and immediately sank or even fell over a bit (or completely)? No, just me? Like, why is it so hard to stay upright??

We know all bodies are different and we celebrate it here at OPC! So, let’s get curious this month.

We’ll explore what happens when we intentionally create some space in our side waists in different exercises using different pieces of equipment and props. Since there are fewer exercises that focus on the side body we’ll use our curious concept in all the different body shapes we make: Flexion, extension, rotation, and side bending!

At the end of each workout, we’ll see how this curious concept of keeping space between the lowest rib and the top of the hip has prepared us to defy gravity and get into Mermaid a little more confidently.

Props needed:
Mat - Magic Circle for a few exercises
Reformer - Magic Circle
Tower/Cadillac - Reformer box or a stable chair that is about the height of the Tower or Cadillac mat!
Chair - A mat is optional

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

RUNNING UP THAT HILL

Online Mat, Reformer, Cadillac & Wunda Chair Pilates Class Descriptions:

Feeling strong enough to run up a hill is a great feeling…whether you have any intention of ever doing that or not! But it’s not just the legs that have to be strong for hill climbing. This month we’ll focus on how our core and upper body help our legs to power through any challenge!

Props needed:
Mat: Pole
Reformer: Weight & Ball
Tower/Cadillac: No props
Wunda Chair: Non-slipping pad, 1 yoga block, Mat (not necessary if the Wunda Chair stands on a carpet)

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

ONE HIT WONDER

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

It's my bday week! I'm turning 42 and in my research to find a song or something epic around 42 I found quite a few things. In the intro's of class I explain some of them. But one I found was that Rainbows start at 42 degrees of the reflection. And something I love about Rainbows is they show us how possible it is to find the longest arc always. Rainbows don't sag anywhere.

Our “1 rep drill” theme is in its 4th year, so it’s basically tradition to do class this week. It’s also been a favorite because I add in some accessible options for everyone to try.

If you’ve done this in the past, you know the Mat order goes FAST - so we’ll be doing a few rounds with props and no props. You can do the whole class or you can pick your favorite round and just do that! It’s a week filled with CHOICES!!

If you’ve done this in the past, you know the Reformer order is LONG - so I cut just a few moves throughout to be as close to 30 minutes as possible. Again, I added accessible options throughout, so everyone can go through the order!!!

Remember we want you to embrace your own journey each time you practice and love practicing in your TODAY body!! If that means you follow my variations, perfect! If that means you do your own variation, also perfect!

See you in class,
Rachel

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, wall, barrel/blanket and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, small ball and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

SIDE BY SIDE

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Every once in a while I get excited to focus on the Side Body! And this week is a great time to do that. I love that Pilates has side bends and twists that help us become more aware of how our side body truly helps us in every other Pilates exercise. Even ones where they are just tall!

You'll need a magic circle on the Reformer. No circle, a thereband can work.
Mat: squishy ball

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

SIDE BY SIDE

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Every once in a while I get excited to focus on the Side Body! And this week is a great time to do that. I love that Pilates has side bends and twists that help us become more aware of how our side body truly helps us in every other Pilates exercise. Even ones where they are just tall!

You'll need a magic circle on the Reformer. No circle, a theraband can work.
Mat: Squishy ball 

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, squishy ball and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Magic Circle (no circle, a theraband can work) and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

AROUND THE CLOCK

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Around The Clock exercise. This exercise is a combination of the double leg stretch, and rolling like a ball. There’s 2 versions I know of:

Joe’s version is named: A Commando Exercise.
Romana’s version is named: Businessman’s Lunch.

The difference? In Joe’s variation, the legs extend only to the even numbers of the clock and the back gets a nice massage as it passes the odd numbers of the clock. The arms reach for the sides of the hips; no reach overhead. In Romana’s variation, it is performed with the legs extending and the arms reaching overhead to each hour of the clock.

The similarity? Both variations are to be performed clockwise and counter-clockwise in less than a minute.

Let’s explore this piece of history, and practice each one to see which is your favorite! Check out Joe's brochure here: https://marchmatness.wordpress.com/2014/03/25/a-commando-exercise-by-joseph-pilates/

Mat Props: Pole and weights
No props for the reformer.

See you in class,
Christine

LEAN ON ME

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

No matter where you live in the world there is a moment in Spring/Fall where day and night are almost equal. Pilates exercises ask us to work our opposition equally. Our down reach (lower half) and our up reach (upper half) are like night and day. So, as this week falls on the equinox, I thought it would be fun to focus on if we are working equally. Or if night or day are pulling us more in one direction.

No props needed as our walls and equipment will be our tools.

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self 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.

ONE HIT WONDER

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

We are in a no judgement zone this week as we fly through the orders doing just one rep of each exercise before moving on!!!

Our “1 rep drill” theme is in its 4th year, so it’s basically tradition to do class this week. It’s also been a favorite because I add in some accessible options for everyone to try.

If you’ve done this in the past, you know the Mat order goes FAST - so we’ll be doing a few rounds with props and no props. You can do the whole class or you can pick your favorite round and just do that! It’s a week filled with CHOICES!!

If you’ve done this in the past, you know the Reformer order is LONG - so I cut just a few moves throughout to be as close to 30 minutes as possible. Again, I added accessible options throughout, so everyone can go through the order!!!

Remember we want you to embrace your own journey each time you practice and love practicing in your TODAY body!! If that means you follow my variations, perfect! If that means you do your own variation, also perfect!

Mat: Wall and Barrel/Blanket
Reformer: Small Ball

See you in class,
Rachel

UP, UP, & AWAY

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

We are all going to feel like Super Humans after this month!!

Whenever I’m in a hard exercise (for me) where I’m holding myself up with my arms and reaching my legs away I picture myself with super human strength!!! I can do ANYTHING! It makes me smile and helps me stay STRONG.

This month our exercise is Up Stretch and when you think about it - reaching your legs away and staying strong over the carriage may feel a lot like flying!

We’ll be focusing on stabilizing our strong cores while staying equally balanced in our arms and legs. We are giving you some amazing building blocks by merging strength and stretch in all directions. You are going to get a little bit of everything that you can use to connect to your Up Stretch (and even your Roll Up and Knee Stretches Off).

Chair: Please have a foam roller and a balance pad available. We are going to challenge your balance safely.

xx-LL