Thanks Order of the Pilates Exercises: The Overhead

Thanks Order of the Pilates Exercises: Transitions! 7!

Welcome to the 7th installation of Transitions! Transitions!

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

Post Short Box and into the Short Spine Massage

Perhaps my very favorite transition!

Just as you were efficient in your set up into the Short Box, try to work with the same economy of movement to return the box, pole and pad to their respective spots.

  • Step off.
  • Place the pad where it lives.
  • Take box and pole back to their spot.
  • Done!

Remember way back to our Long Box transitions?

(Check out this video for a quick recap of how to be your own Pilates minion!)

If you’ve been following along, your straps will be already set up for the Short Spine Massage. All you need do is pick them up.

  • Place your straps in one hand.
  • Walk as much as you can to sit on the Reformer and lie back.
  • Lift your feet into the straps and enjoy!

A word about getting into the straps for Short Spine Massage

Notice I use the word ‘lift’ to get your feet into the straps. I know, not a surprise…

In the spirit of a-little-exercise-before-the-exercise, work to lift yourself and therefore your feet to the straps without moving the carriage. 

Do not pull on the straps to move the carriage and straps to your feet. Remember you are about to do the Short Spine Massage. You should be able to lift yourself into position for this exercise.

Think of it as good Pilates etiquette.

Post Short Spine Massage and into the SemiCircle

You’ve got 2 options for extricating yourself from the straps post Short Spine Massage. I use them both depending on how much Reformer I will be doing in my workout.

1. The Fun Way

This one’s a bit of “Look what I can do!” and is of course another exercise-after-the-exercise kind of transition.

  • Begin another repetition and pause when your hips are over your shoulders.
  • Use control and lower your legs to be approximately parallel to the floor.
  • Flex your feet to allow the straps to fall off your feet and into the well of the Reformer.
  • Roll down onto the carriage with control and continue to SemiCircle.

The Fun Way is the right transition to pick if you will be working more at an intermediate level and finishing up your Reformer with just a handful of additional exercises. The straps can be deposited into the well because you will not need them for the rest of your workout.

If you plan to proceed to Chest Expansion and beyond, I would choose option #2.

2. The Make-your-future-self-happy Way

You know you will need the straps (handles) again for Chest Expansion and beyond so you will place them exactly where you will need them next: where they live behind the shoulder rests.

  • Finish your Short Spine Massage.
  • Remove the straps/handles from your feet.
  • Undo them so the handles are free.
  • Replace the handles onto the pegs behind the shoulder blocks. Later you’ll find them all set up for Chest Expansion.

With the straps all sorted out, you’re ready to slide down the carriage to position yourself for the Semi Circle.

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.
  • My favorite, the Short Box Series gets the royal treatment in post 6.

2 Responses

  1. Super set of transitions to focus on this week! 🙂 Your transition series is such a great reference! They are all … much tougher in real-reformer-time but add much fun (mental and physical) to an ever evolving Pilates practice. Hope you are having a great time in the UK! Yeah!

    1. Corrie,

      Thanks so much as always for sharing your thoughts (and kind words) on my Transition series. I am gearing up for the wham-bam finish to the series over several new posts to come. I am SO glad you find them to be useful…the transitions are fun to finesse your workout and up your game to a seamless chain of movement! Huzzah!
      See you on Friday for more Pilates fun, xox

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