As we move throughout our daily life, we need to be able to safely move the spine in all directions. In the Programming & Sequencing chapter of the Pilates Encyclopedia, you’ll find a list of exercises that move the lumbar spine into flexion.

The biggest benefit of lumbar flexion...

For one or two of my students, Tower is the single best exercise to release tension from their backs. But what to do if they don’t have a Trapeze Table at home, or can’t make it to the studio every single day?

The best alternative that I’ve come up (so far) is Bridging with Feet...

Ankles that are flexible and strong are key to preventing injuries, falls, and compensations up the kinetic chain. A list of ankle stability and mobility exercises has been added to the Pilates Encyclopedia.

Here’s a few to get you started:

• M - Balance on a half roller: foot lengthwise on...

Runners, this one’s for you! We have added a list of exercises to the Pilates Encyclopedia to help you improve your skills and prevent injury and pain. 

Here’s a few to get you started:

• M - Single Leg Bridge
• Improves glute strength
• Strengthens obliques
• M - Single leg calf...

Try this variation of the Mermaid position. Even without this variation, the Z-Sit is a great hip stretch into external rotation (foot that's in front of you) and internal rotation (foot that's behind you). By adding these movements, you will additionally improve your hip mobility into extension,...

This list includes exercises that improve external rotation of the hip joint either by lengthening the internal rotators or by strengthening the external rotators.

Trapeze Table

• Hip Opener
• Side Lying Leg Springs: Passé

Reformer

• Thighs in Straps (springs assist external rotation and...

Q: When I begin a class with breathing it sometimes feels more like a yoga or meditation session than preparing for movement. How do I get clients to leave the world outside behind and start to focus on the class? How can I help them stop the mind from wandering without sounding like a hippie...

Neutral versus Imprinted.  Which is better?  What’s the difference?  I get these questions all the time and in the video below I’ll show you why an imprinted spine is transitional towards our goal of a neutral, natural spine and why your abdominal wall plays a huge role...

If you've missed the first part of this series, you can find it here:

Side Kick Series: Part 1

After learning the most appropriate position for the side of your body that's touching the floor (bottom arm and leg), we will now look into the movements of the top leg.

The moving leg is the one that...

As you probably know, the Chest Lift is a foundational Pilates mat exercise, which is part of many other exercises as well, i.e. all exercises of the Stomach Series (Single Leg Stretch, Double Leg Stretch, etc.), as well as The Hundred (on the mat and the Reformer), Coordination, Backstroke...