Hello there and welcome Star-fanatics!
Thank you so much for the warm reception you gave to my recent post on my favorite Star-helpers around the Pilates studio.
Well, doncha know there are few more helpers I’ve found – you’ll see them below…
And we do have – ahem – other apparatuses…
Star on the Reformer
Star on the Reformer has all the elements you *love* about the Long Stretch, now thrillingly, one side at a time.
Please contain your enthusiasm…
Today I’ve also got a special guest-Star (oooh that worked perfectly)!
Enjoy the Pilates eye candy from Carrie Shanafelt of Forte Pilates Boise.
Give her all your IG love.
View this post on Instagram
Side Kick Series on the Mat
Now is the time for all good Side Kick Series to come to the aid of their favorite practitioner, YOU!
Stand your bottom leg on a moving platform and you’ve got yourself a Star, doncha know?
Leg Spring Series on the Cadillac
Oh it’s no surprise I’ve avoided the Leg Spring Series for so many years. Wait for it…
and now I love them!
All of these exercises here are fantastic for your Star project purposes, most especially walking and beats.
Right? OMG it’s even called ‘walking!’ You need this one so much all day long.
Such a goodie.
Ok, rant over.
Side-Lying Leg Springs
Ready, steady, GO!
With this one… we’re nearly there, and brilliantly comfortable here on the Cadillac.
Here’s where you’ll train your Side Kick Series on the Mat – getting help from the Leg Springs to create that often-elusive full-body experience.
Long Stretch
Alas, not a favorite of mine, but clearly a Star prerequisite. I mean just look at it.
Side Bend on the Mat
Both sides are on board for this one as well…
More help on the Wunda? Woo hoo!
Meanwhile back at my most recent Pilates-Project-for-help-with-the-Star, I’ve found even more helpful exercises:
- Table
- Kneeling Mermaid
Some observations on my Star Pilates Project:
1. Cultivating More of the Shape of the Exercise
In the Star position, I find it super challenging to keep the length (back and front) in this long position.
The Table allows me to work on finding length in my back in this hip-extended position.
Simply.
Probably helps my SemiCircle on the Reformer too.
Another plus.
I haven’t added the pumping part of the Table as that’s not what I’m after at the moment.
2. A Side Bend is a Side Bend is a Side Bend
I could have more Star success if my body understood how to bend to the side a bit better.
Where can I find this help?
Enter the Kneeling Mermaid on the Wunda.
Now I can focus solely on how the side-bending trunk lifts and moves the pedal. I do this one immediately before my Star trying to replicate that ever-elusive side-bend.
I find this exercise to be supremely helpful.
The Kneeling Mermaid helps me create a tangible side-bend structure in my body. Without this exercise, my trunk can only think about lifting the pedal and just wants to crumble at the first onset of Star.
OK, did I just accuse my trunk of thinking??!
Which brings me to:
3. Forget about lifting the pedal.
Figure out how to lift you. The pedal will follow dutifully.
Fingers crossed.
Enjoy this short video.
May all your Stars shine brightly this week and into the New Year.
2 Responses
Nice prep vid :). I can actually do many of these still 😜
3. Forget about lifting the pedal…. in my case = EVER. 😂
Thnx A!! You’re a STAR 🤩
Hello there!! Yes I am in “forget-about-lifting-the-pedal mode. AGAIN. I hope we can see each other soon to catch up! xox Thank you so much for reading and watching 🙂