Having a stressful day? Feeling stiff across your shoulders? Needing to lie down and have a moment? Don’t worry, Pilates has got you.
This exercise is one of my favourites and it is also a class favourite – so you know for sure it is a good one. Whenever I ask my group what exercise they feel their bodies need, this is the one that is shouted out 99% of the time.
This exercise is one of my favourites and it is also a class favourite – so you know for sure it is a good one. Whenever I ask my group what exercise they feel their bodies need, this is the one that is shouted out 99% of the time.
Twisting the stress away
Equipment: Pilates mat, Pilates pillow - if you don’t have a Pilates pillow I find a rolled up beach towel is perfect, especially if it smells of sun cream!
Equipment: Pilates mat, Pilates pillow - if you don’t have a Pilates pillow I find a rolled up beach towel is perfect, especially if it smells of sun cream!
- Lie down on your side, knees are bent as though you are sitting in a chair
- Hip stacked on hip, knee on knee and if you have a waist on top you should have a waist on bottom! We love curves!
- Lengthen your arms out in front of you so both your hands are stacked
- Take a relaxing deep breath
- On the exhale begin to float your top arm upward and let it rest near your ear
- Take another deep breath in
- As you exhale begin to turn your head so you are looking toward the sky/ ceiling
- Allow your arm to naturally fall further back
- Continue the movement with your arm to allow it to go in a big circle
- CHECK POINT - don’t let your arm go out of sight, therefore if you are stiff in your neck don’t force your arm behind you
- Allow your chest to expand and the delightful rotation to occur in your upper body
- Keep your hips facing forward to keep your lower body grounded
- Return to starting position (you will notice how your head naturally returned to face forward)
- Do this 8 – 10 times each side and feel lengthen through your spine
- HINT - If you find an amazing stretch along the way pause for a moment and take a deep inhale to increase the stretch