Making Sense of the Pilates Method: The Eyes

Thanks Order of the Pilates Exercises: Transitions! 6!

Welcome to the 6th installation of Transitions! Transitions!

We’ve been working our way through the Order of the Pilates Reformer Exercises.

The Short Box Series oh how I love thee, let me count the ways…

The Short Box Series presents us with yet another opportunity for efficient pace and tempo within an exercise series.

You’ll strive to connect the exercises as though they were one continuous movement.

It’s helpful to be efficient in your set up for this series as it is quite accessorized: box, pole, pad, straps – ok GO!

Post Tendon Stretch and into the Short Box Series

Not sure why I haven’t labeled this one The Big Transition as well, as there are several components to set up.

  • Keep the pad from Tendon Stretch where it is – you’ll need it in a moment.
  • Get the box and pole and place them onto the Reformer.
  • Add the pad to the top of the box – you’ll sit on it. It will help you keep your position solid on the box.
  • Reach down and take hold of the 2 black straps under the front of the Reformer.
  • Sit on the box and place both straps on your ankles.
  • Press the legs apart to tighten the straps. They should remain taut during all of the exercises.

Now you have arrived atop the box.

This is often the place where it seems okay to get chatty in your workout. I don’t want to chat during this challenging series, but often people do.

Therefore it’s nice to encourage flow and movement here.

During the exercises you are essentially in the same place on the box. So if you get too pick, pick, picky about the positions there is no moving going on.

Challenge yourself to move through the 5-6 exercises on the Short Box with a deliberate steady pace.

  • Round – a nice massage
  • Reach – some real lifting and work for the back
  • Side to Side – a juicy stretch if you can get it
  • Twist/Reach – a strength-builder and very challenging to maintain the tight straps on your ankles
  • Around the World – better have a good Twist/Reach for this one…
  • Tree – countless benefits in this one really…one-sided, back strength, global stretch of the back body…

I do like to dawdle now and then, when I get obsessed with perfecting one of the exercises. But again,

Just. Keep. Moving.

Want even more Short Box? Be sure to check out this post.

Enjoy this short video tutorial. 

Questions? Please leave them in a comment below.

Thank you so so much for watching!

In case you’ve missed one…

  • Check out the first Transitions! post to learn the purpose of an efficient Pilates transition.
  • Catch up on the 2nd post as well and move smoothly through the Rowing Series.
  • The 3rd installment will enhance your scoop and take you successfully into the Backstroke.
  • We hashed out the Big Transition into the Long Stretch Series into shape in post 4.
  • Transitions! 5! took us deep into the rhythm of the Stomach Massage Series.

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