Alycea Ungaro weighed in with her move of the month for August: The Pilates Lunges.
Huh?
She certainly hit the mark with an exercise that I had completely forgotten and alas, that I had relegated to the world of fitness.
I was confused. Confounded. And yes, a bit late to the party.
No delicious Reformer exercise or one of the 34 awesome moves on the Mat?
Just last week I realized I had been teaching Pilates lunges to my clients ALL ALONG…
Imagine my surprise. Say it with me:
We only have one exercise!
Right…
The Standing Arm Springs
Often these are reserved for our male clients, but I have a few exceptional ladies that love a good Standing Arm Spring ending.
Regardless, these exercises are bursting with Pilates power poses; we all feel strong and powerful doing them. And with many variations to choose from, they can be appropriate for all levels of Pilates peeps.
One prerequisite: You must have a powerhouse!
Jus’ sayin’.
A few Pilates pointers you’ll use to work on the exercises:
- This is a Back exercise. The arms are an extension of your back. Connect your back into your arms and into the springs.
- Opposition Help #1: Use opposition to your advantage. Press firmly into the floor with your feet and really anchor the back heel. Reach your hands into the handles and create a diagonal line from the back heel all the way up to your fingertips.
- Opposition Help #2: Scoop your stomach in away from your reach into the handles. Pretend you are doing a strange Teaser and pull the waistline in more that you think necessary…you’re probably in no danger of overdoing it…
- Balance: Lunge with the Right leg forward and then the Left. Lookie there! It’s great for those that might have a weaker side, or a less coordinated one.
- OMG coordination!
- Breathe deeply and be vigorous!
Can you say full body workout?