It's pouring outside as I write this.
After weeks of this oppressive heat - I've come to expect that the short bursts of rain will do little to alleviate this relentless heat and humidity that seems to have swallowed us up here in my beloved birth city. And yet...even as I have adapted to this new routine carrying a tiny umbrella and wearing the right types of shoes each day, I can't help but notice how unexpected rhythms seem to drive our ability to organize ourselves. It happens every day in my world. Watching my own body respond to a new cue or helping a client rediscover an old exercise a new way.
This week I present you MIkiko Baba, new and beloved to Real Pilates teaching you the Double Leg Kick. Watch her tempo, clarity and rhythm. Join her for a few reps and then continue on your own, see what you find in an unexpected change to a familiar move. Here's a few pointers:
Alignment
-Watch that you move slowly at the pivot point between being down on the mat and up in the lifted posture. You may find that one shoulder or arm leads the way if you rush. Go slow and force your body to move symmetrically.
Hands On
Let's call it "Feet On" - this month. Have the tops of your feet make full contact with the mat underneath you in this variation. See if they can press equally into the mat. Now tune into your Abs and pull those puppies right up off the mat.
Communication
Linking body parts together is a key Pilates strategy. Work this exercise as if you were truly bound up by springs. When your legs extend out, behave as though they were pulling your hands back with them. In this exercise, allowing upper and lower body to work together strengthens your mind-body connection, your nervous system and of course your booty!
Have a fabulous end of July!
See you in August!
