Pilates Rolling Like a Ball Exercise – Pretend like you are 5 again!!

The Pilates exercise called Rolling Like a Ball is one of the first rolling exercises you will learn when practicing Pilates.  Joseph Pilates was very big on the act of rolling and unrolling your spine.  Besides creating and maintaining a flexible spine, Joe believed that the rolling coordinated with the breath, helped you cleanse the lungs completely and maximize your breath capacity.

There are lots of variations of this exercise so be sure to find one the feels good for your body.  Also make sure you have a nice cushioned mat or carpet to practice on.

My favorite advice on Rolling Like a Ball:

“Pretend like you are 5 again.  Have a little fun with this one and try not to over think it! Rolling Like a Ball is meant to feel like a nice massage on your spine- enjoy it!!”

 

Pilates Side Leg Kick Workout

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The Side Leg Kick Series is a wonderful mini workout all by itself or added into another workout.  These total body movements will strengthen and lengthen your legs while working your core.

 

Pilates Side Plank – A great at home exercise to build strength and balance!

The Side Plank is a great exercise for strengthening and toning the whole body. Practicing side plank at your working level will help strengthen and balance your body to prepare you for some of the more challenging Pilates exercises.  Start off by just holding the side plank for 10-15 seconds.  Gradually increase your time and try working up towards a full minute on each side!
Click the video above to learn how to fine tune your technique on this challenging exercise!

Pilates Home Workout with the Big Exercise Ball

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Do you have a big workout ball sitting around your house somewhere? Grab it and a comfy spot on the floor to try this challenging 25 minute Big Ball Workout!

 

The Pilates Push up

 

 

The Pilates Push up is a great all over body exercise that ties together all of the Pilates Principles.  The push up itself is a great exercise, but this Pilates version will teach you how to work on your balance and control and make an exercise out of the act of getting into the push up position as well as getting out of it.

Be sure to watch the video, try your own variation of the Pilates push-up and let us know how it goes!  If you liked this video be sure to share it with your friends!

Try this quick but oh so effective Pilates move- the Plank!

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The plank is great for overall strengthening of your body and really prepares your body to do some of the more challenging Pilates exercises.  Make sure you really focus on your form by incorporating your Pilates fundamentals like engaging your deep abdominal muscles, breathing, and stabilizing your shoulders(don’t sink into the shoulders!).

Try one of these variations each day this month! See if you can progressively hold the pose a little while longer, but be sure to come out of the plank if you are straining your low back, shoulders, or wrists.

When you finish, you can sit back in a child’s pose or turn onto your back and hug your knees into your chest to stretch out your low back.