Pilates Holiday Workout
I have a Pilates finisher style workout with a full body strength and stretching sequence for you, fabulous for strengthening upper body and waist as well as stretching tight chest muscles.
I know how many of you ask for holiday workouts, so here it is.
I love Pilates workouts because they're a flow of conscious movement. Pilates is not about doing X number of reps and just getting it done. It's about mindfully feeling how your body is at that moment and working with your body not forcing or straining. Whether it's addressing tight spots for an effective release or facing up to areas that need strengthening (how often do we avoid exercises we're not good at?) and working with quality to address the weakness.
Spend some time with the following movements without feeling any pressure to adhere to the suggested time. If the side planks are really tough then just do a few. If your chest and upper back is super tight from sitting or bending forward too much - then take LOTS of time to just relax and let go with the chest openers.
Aim to complete around 2 minutes work of each movement – your goal should be quality not quantity. If you feel benefit then do more reps if you want. If it feels too hard, then do fewer reps. Helpful animal assistant optional.
Side Plank with Hip Raise Left
Side Plank with Hip Raise Right
Chest Openers Left
Chest Openers Right
Superman – legs only (alternating or double)
The video below is a follow along workout so if you're not a Pilates regular, or you're unsure of the movements, work with me and Suzanne.
This video is from a program (Menopause Belly Fix) biz partner Shawna Kaminski and I promote to women over 40 throughout the US and Canada and is actually the fifth in a series of 5 short Pilates workouts. If you're a bloke, don't be put off, Pilates is equally effective for both men and women and indeed humans of all ages.
Set aside some quiet time (even if you have to hide from the 'kids'), find yourself a mat, slow down your breath and spend a few minutes with this simple (not necessarily easy) Pilates finisher workout.