- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Equipment Needed: Spine Corrector (I love using the Contrology Spine Corrector.)
- Reps: 3 sets
- Warning: Not ideal for those with neck, shoulder or back issues.
- Questions: Contact us here
Control Balance on the Spine Corrector
Jackknife, Control Balance and other overhead exercises in Pilates gets you feeling like you’re in your neck, then try out this trick using your Pilates Spine Corrector. In Pilates, there is something called a “two-way” stretch. One direction is your “down stretch” and the other is your “up stretch.” This one is really tricky to get in general and even harder when you are doing overhead exercises. All that weight can easily get caught in your neck and shoulders. By using the Spine Corrector it allows you to ground through your shoulder girdle and press your head in for proprioception.
Work your leg reach over as much as the lift up from your center!
Laying on your back with your head towards the barrel, hold the handles with your hands. Work elbows wide and ideally down. Neck is long, space behind it as you gaze to the ceiling. The barrel can touch your head but you don’t want to pull it on your head. You want to work your shoulders wide. Lift your legs up to the ceiling then overhead. Feet can touch the barrel/step if your back has the flexibility and reach.
Maintaining your gaze to the ceiling and your shoulders wide. Leave one straight leg reaching long and away. Not down. Its tempting to rest it on the barrel. Then reach the other leg straight up over its hip. Its tempting to over reach it and fall out of the set up. Instead, remember up is not the same as forward. Then switch the legs. Repeat back and forth. If you’re new you might bring the top leg down first before lifting the other leg up. But the goal is to get comfortable switching the legs while standing on your shoulders.
If it goes well give it a try without the barrel.
Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Spine Corrector exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Spine Corrector training!