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Grasshopper on the 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 and the kick up and over.

  • Author: Lesley Logan
  • July 12, 2020

Grasshopper on the Spine Corrector

  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Equipment Needed: Spine Corrector (I love using the spine corrector - Clara Step Barrel.)
  • Reps: 3-5x
  • Warning: Not ideal for some lower back issues.
  • Questions: Contact us here

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.

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!

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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