March MATness 2016: #OneLegStretch

The One Leg Stretch(also called the Single Leg Stretch) is part of the famous Pilates “Stomach Series”.  This term always makes me laugh as I consider my entire Pilates workout a “stomach” workout!!  In Joseph Pilates’ book, Return to Life,  he suggests, ” 5 times on each leg(Later on the number of repetitions may be gradually and progressively safely increased to twelve times with each leg)”.

• Maintain your working level by adjusting how low the outstretched leg reaches.  Reaching it upward will be more supportive and allow you to work without strain
• Try to keep your leg in line with your hip when pulling it in and stretching it out.
• Traditional breathing is inhale on one leg and then exhale on the other.
• If curling up your head and upper back forward off the mat strains your neck, leave your head on the mat.