The Pilates System: The Airplane

For Janet

Hello and welcome to another beautiful Monday on the Pilates Path.

Today’s topic was a request from Janet, one of my favorite Pilates clients.

Janet has worked diligently on her Pilates Mat exercises during the last 2 years via Zoom and this year she’s back in the studio. Her Mat exercises are paying off 100-fold as she returns to her Reformer repertoire and oh yes, her Cadillac exercises.

The Leg Springs Series on the Cadillac

Historically the Leg Spring Series on the Cadillac has never been a favorite of mine.

The Airplane, however, like all things upside down, was love at first sight.

The heart wants what it wants…

I teach this series to people all day long, even though my own body rebelled and took years (decades? Maybe…) to gain proficiency in these amazing exercises.

You know how it goes with Pilates exercises you hate, the Leg Spring Series is now one of my favorite places to warm up my back and get my full body workout.

Yes, I f***ing LOVE them!

I still can’t believe it myself.

And doncha know that full body workout thang was the secret?

You’re gonna need your whole body to do these suckers.

Who knew?

The traditional Leg Spring Series exercises we get from Joe Pilates are often done in the following order:

• Frog
• Circles
• Walking
• Beats
• Bicycle
• Big Frog
• Airplane (with board) OR
• Airplane (no board)

On the Cadillac you’re here to find more proficiency/connection all around the studio and you may not stay for a whole workout.

That being said, if you do all of these Leg Spring Series exercises, there’s an order you can follow.

How nice.

The Airplane

The Airplane on the Cadillac is a gateway drug to all things overhead.

The Cadillac gives you a supportive and safe environment to achieve the Airplane. All your Leg Spring Series exercises warm up the entire back of the body in preparation for takeoff.

Progressing your Reformer workout to include the Overhead, Short Spine Massage and all of your Long Stretch Series gets a big boost from your Airplane skills.

All A-Board!

The Airplane Board gives a you a solid standing platform for all your Airplane adventures. You no longer need to imagine you are standing on your feet, you literally are – just in mid-air.

The solid wood of the Airplane Board provides support and confidence in this exercise as you prepare for more upside down exercises all around the studio: Overhead on the Reformer, Roll Over on the Mat, and the Leg Spring Series in the Air.

Exciting, no?

What’s the Diff?

In this week’s video on my YouTube channel I compare the Airplane done with the assist of the Airplane Board v. using the same foot straps used in your Leg Spring Series.

Even just looking at the foot straps you can tell they will not be as supportive as the solid wood of the Airplane Board.

Especially in mid-Airplane when you need your standing body the most, it’s a big help to have a solid piece of wood to press your feet against.

How can the Airplane help your Pilates workout?

Your first move in the Airplane is reminiscent of a slow version of Rolling Like a Ball. You’re building more control from your favorite Pilates Mat exercise.

And with the support of the Airplane Board you’ll build greater proficiency in going upside down, which will serve you well as you make your way toward more complex exercises in the Pilates System.

The Cadillac is a great teacher, allowing you to have a fully supported standing position all while lying on a supremely supportive surface.

Thanks Joe Pilates!

What if I don’t have an Airplane Board??

No worries, I got you covered.

Check out this week’s video for an bonus exercise that’s super helpful too!

Watch the video.

Got a terrible exercise you now just love to pieces?

Share all your Pilates confessions in a comment below.

Thanks for watching!