- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Equipment Needed: Towel
- Reps: 1 set
- Warning: Not ideal for some neck issues.
- Questions: Contact us here
Massage with the Towel
This exercise is less of an exercise and more of a tool that Joseph Pilates created with a Towel. My teacher Jay remembers Clara giving the Towel Massage to many people as they ended their self workout. This may be the only Pilates exercise you can’t do yourself! You will need a partner to do the work while you truly relax into your body. Make sure the person doing this understands the exercise and that you relax and don’t try and help the process.
You will need a partner to do the work while you truly relax into your body.
Laying on your back on a mat or Cadillac bed arms long by side. Legs straight and relaxed. Have a long dish towel folded up in half or thirds under the base of your head where it meets your neck. Another person is kneeling or standing behind your head. Each hand takes one end of the towel and twists slightly to tighten the towel to the head. Relax neck and body while the other person pulls one end of the towel so head rolls to one side. Then pull the other end of the towel so head rolls to the other side. Repeat 2-3x to ensure neck is loose. Feel which side of neck is tight. Then person with towel pulls the towel ends towards them to get traction on the neck. Release the traction and roll head side to side 2-3x.
Person holding the towel pulls the ends towards them and up to lift the head and neck, possibly a little of chest slightly and then rolls head side to side 2-3x. Then pulls on the towel again towards them to get traction as they lower the head down.
Body getting the massage remains relaxed and the person with the towel pulls the towel up and towards them as they lift the head, chest and then proceeds to roll the body up and over their own legs. Let go of the towel and then take your hands and push their body over their legs some more.
Be sure to check out more of my Towel workout videos. I want to help you continue your Towel training!