Grasshopper on the Spine Corrector

Grasshopper on the Spine Corrector

Grasshopper in the Pilates method can occur in a few places around the studio. You can do it on the Ladder Barrel, Reformer and even a mini version on the Mat. However, the easier place to learn and practice Grasshopper is here on the Pilates Spine Corrector. One of the hardest things to explore in the Grasshopper exercise is the lift up before you reach the legs back out to do the beats. As well as the kick over. So, practicing on the Spine Corrector allows you to see how much you can do without feeling like you’re going to fall on your fast or hang out in your lower back.

Lift legs up from inner thighs and hamstrings, reach the tailbone long.

Sliding forward from your Rocking position on the Spine Corrector you want to place your hands under your shoulders like a “push up.” Stretch your legs long and together. Reach your tailbone towards your heels and hug the inner thighs tightly together. Energetically pull your hands down and back on the mat to help open your chest. Find the longest length in your spine and be mindful that gravity will want to pull your lower back down to the mat. Before you begin pull your low ribs in the front in as well.

Lifting straight legs up from your inner thighs and hamstrings, reach for the ceiling and pull your chest forward. Bend both knees keeping the heels together to kick towards your head. Stretch your legs straight up to the sky and then as you pull your chest forward and up beat your legs open and closed and come to straight arms, lifted chest and long spine and legs. Repeat 3-5x. Being mindful that it’s easy to bend the knees too early at the start of the exercise. And another way to lose out on the good stuff is skipping the reach at the very top before you begin your beats.

Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Spine Corrector exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Spine Corrector training!