Around The Clock in 1 Minute: Enjoy A Classical 1940’s Archival Pilates Mat Exercise

Around the Clock in 1 Minute

Nothing tones up the abdominal obliques quite at fast as the ‘Around The Clock in 1 Minute’ exercise from Joseph Pilates 1940’s archival mat exercise menu.

It can be used in place of or in addition to the ‘famous 5’ stomach series in the Contrology Mat.

Exercise Instructions: start on the mat with head and chest lifted, knees deeply bent and hands at ankles. (see illustration) Stay condensed in rolling like a ball position as you bump/roll twice clockwise using upper body, then stretch limbs straight open on the 3rd bump/roll, stay lifted in upper body (similar to teaser and double leg stretch position), quickly curl back into your ball position and continue all the way around your clock, then start again counter clockwise. Complete the entire clockwise/counter clockwise cycle within ONE minute.

I have been adding this into my level 4 and 5 group classes in various teaching locations and my students report fantastic results. I observe laughter and hear some funny comments as they go through the clockwise and counter clockwise motions.

My classes are typically well attended by athletic men, who are pleasantly surprised to find the classical (traditional) Pilates very satisfying, challenging to their strength, fitness and increasing in their flexibility.

I also have an excited following of women reporting results of rapidly toned, strengthened longer leaner limb muscles, flatter abdominals, toned and well shaped firmer buttocks after a few weeks of regular attendance 2-3 x per week of my classes.

Pilates brings its most defined results when practiced at least 3x per week, which is why I decided to start this blog. Each post will have something new for you to practice at home between class or lesson attendance. My goal is to help each person improve their Pilates skill with correct and precise technique to create uniform development in their bodies which will result in improved energy, muscle tone, balance and overall improved health.

I welcome questions, emails and requests for specific exercises. I will do my best to answer everyone ASAP thru email or address what I can here in this blog.

Natalie Shook PMA-NCPT is a graduate of Advanced Program at The Pilates Center in Boulder and a Host Advisor for the TPC Teacher Training Program. Strategic Pilates Studio is located in Somerset Meadows, Longmont, CO for more information regarding schedule, classes, one on one, etc. Email natalie@strategicpilates.com Call or text Natalie @ 831-241-8097

2020/08/03

This Week’s Actual Pilates: The Sequence of Joseph Pilates Mat Exercises

The original sequence of exercises as written in his book titled : “Return to Life Through Contrology” by Joseph Pilates.

Students who participate in my classes often ask me for the list of exercises we do on a twice weekly basis. I think you should have this list exactly as written by the creator of the actual Pilates exercises.

The sequence in which they are to be performed was created with the intent that each exercise prepares the body for the next level of difficulty. The original name for this sequence was Contrology.

In recent years, there has been much confusion about what Pilates actually is, and unfortunately within the industry itself, you will find a wide variety of things being taught in Pilates studios and gyms being labeled as ‘Pilates’ that are in reality just a compilation of core based gym exercises. It is my passion to help you understand what actual Pilates is, to bring a higher level of health and renewed energy to your body. Within the instructions, photos and video clips provided throughout my posts, it is my sincere hope that people will learn to differentiate between the classes that are titled ‘Pilates’, those that are and those that are not following the methodology of JP originally intended or created. Experiencing authentic Pilates will influence your mind about this amazing modality, it will definitely change your body for the better.

Therefore, I encourage you to locate of a copy of the book, “Return to Life Through Contrology, By Joseph Pilates”, read and keep it around for your own personal reference and discernment to the original methodology and science behind the creation of this marvelous work.

The sequence doesn’t change, the sequence is not to be mixed up, we don’t use huge fitness balls, we don’t include ‘planks’, or other ‘gym exercises’. His methodology changes the body when done in his named order of sequence on a regular basis and can be done daily without harm. Below you will find the list and in future posts, you will find instructions with photos and video clips on how to properly perform these exercises.

Here is the list in the Joseph Pilates mat exercises order of sequence:

The Hundred, The Roll Up, The Roll Over with Legs Spread (both ways), One Leg Circle (both ways), Rolling Back (like a ball), One Leg Stretch, The Double Leg Stretch, The Spine Stretch, Rocker with Open Legs, The Corkscrew, The Saw, The Swan Dive, The One Leg Kick, The Double Kick, The Neck Pull, The Scissors, The Bicycle, The Shoulder Bridge, The Spine Twist, The Jack Knife, The Side Leg Kick (Series), The Teaser, The Hip Twist with Stretched Arms (Hip Circles), Swimming, The Leg Pull Front, The Leg Pull, The Side Kick Kneeling, The Side Bend, The Boomerang, The Seal, The Crab, The Rocking, The Control Balance, The Push Up.

You may notice that a magic circle (the Pilates ring), very light 1-2lb weights could be used for some of the exercises or a weighted bar for the roll up, and on a classical mat, you would have the foot strap, side boxes and optional handles. As a modification, you might find a small squishy ball, wedge, extra pads or theraband used. No other equipment is used in a traditional method Mat Pilates Class.

Here are quotes taken directly from the book titled “Return to Life Through Contrology, By Joseph Pilates”

“The only unchanging rules you must conscientiously obey are that you must faithfully and without deviation, follow the instructions accompanying the exercises and always keep your mind wholly concentrated on the purpose of the exercises as you perform them.” (page 20)

“The benefits of Contrology depend on solely upon your performing the exercises according to instructions — and not otherwise.” (page 20)

“BE SURE NEVER TO REPEAT THE SELECTED EXERCISE(S) MORE THAN THE PRESCIBED NUMER OF TIMES since more harm will result than good by your unwittingly or intentionally disregarding this most important advice and direction. Why? Because this infraction causes muscular fatigue-poison. There is really no need for tired muscles. Judicious selection of special Contrology exercises will accomplish more for your health and body condition, in conjunction with the foregoing advice, than all else combined.” (page 31)

Natalie Shook PMA-NCPT is a graduate of Advanced Program at The Pilates Center in Boulder and a Host Advisor for the TPC Teacher Training Program. Strategic Pilates is located in Somerset Meadows, Longmont, CO for more information regarding schedule, classes, One-on-One Private Sessions, Duets, Rates etc. Email natalie@strategicpilates.com Call or text Natalie @ 831-241-8097

2019/12/12

This Week’s Actual Pilates: The Hundred

The Hundred is the first exercise seen in the Return to Life through Contrology book by Joseph Pilates. This is the exercise that follows the footwork on the apparatus and the advanced mat. The Hundred is done in the Pilates session to warm and prepare the body for the exercises to follow, increasing fitness and detoxifying the body.

At first you will notice that the Pilates Hundred focuses on the breath but is without a doubt, a full body integration exercise that wakes up the body by getting the blood pumping and oxygenated, stimulates the nervous system, uses frontline activation, increases dynamic stability, leg strength, and encourages control of body, mind and spirit through deep focus and mindful movement.

Though the Hundred exercise appears to be something relatively simple to look at, there are many muscles active and involved throughout the entire body. Here is a list of some of the major players in this wonderful exercise:

rectus abdominus, rectus obliques, serratus anterior, deltoids, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, transverse abdmoninus, iliopsoas, scalene, rectus femorus, sternocleidomastoid, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus maximus, extensor digitorum, biceps brachii, triceps brachii

Let’s discuss the importance of correct breathing. Breathing is the first and last thing you do when you are born and when you die. Joseph Pilates put a great emphasis on the breath in his methodology of exercises. The capacity to efficiently use oxygen is dependent on the respiratory system’s ability to collect oxygen and the cardiovascular system’s ability to absorb and transport it to the tissues of the body. When we exercise, we must breathe well. Abnormal and difficult breathing patterns can affect the normal response to exercise, human movement patterns, circulation, stress and sleep.

How to do the Hundred: Place the body supine on a flat padded surface such as a Pilates mat. (The current photo is showing the Hundred exercise done on the reformer) Inhale and lift the head so that you are resting on the tips of the shoulder blades, bringing the chin toward the chest. Lift the legs, toes are ideally at eye level, the arms long and straight and start to pump vigorously 5 arm pumps for one sustained deep inhale, 5 arm pumps for one sustained deep exhale. Repeat this sequence for 10 cycles until you reach a total of 100. Modification Options: Knees bent, less reps, support legs, support head.

2019/12/08

This Week’s Actual Pilates: The Side Kick Leg Series

Side Kick Series

The side kick leg series in the traditional Pilates mat sequence is something I will never omit when I teach my Pilates mat classes. This series always shows up in it’s proper place in the exercise order according to the level I am teaching. This delightful exercises series teaches hip differentiation, offers sideline activation, improves dynamic stability, and encourages uniform balance and development of the body.

This series offers the basic few and then several enjoyable variations to add as the body’s level of precise movement ability and strength increase. Today I will just post the basics with very simple instructions, but I will keep editing, expanding and adding more variations for you, so keep checking back to this post and more as you progress within your workout. Stay committed and you will see progress.

How to do the side kick leg series: Align your body side laying on your mat, bring the legs slightly forward, do not bend the knees. Support the head with one hand and place the other near the belly on the mat. Be sure your hips are stacked, nothing falling forward or back. Keep eyes looking straight ahead, not at the feet.

FORWARD & BACK: Lift the top leg with a flexed foot (standing position) at hip height, inhale deeply and swing the leg forward and then a little further. Point the toes and exhale fully as you now swing the leg behind you keeping the limb long and strong without bending the knee. Keep your torso stable, strong and aligned as you move with your breath. Repeat 10x each.

UP & DOWN: Heel’s together toes apart (that famous Pilates ‘V’ Pizza shape with the feet) The top leg is slightly turned out from the hip, begin with a pointed toe position. Inhale as you bring the leg up, flex foot at the top before you exhale to bring the leg down. Repeat 10x each. Tip: Make sure you are staying aligned as in the set up, where are your eyes looking while you are moving? Are you breathing?

Here is some recommended reading, but it is not as fun as this blog: “Return to Life Through Contrology by Joseph Pilates”

2019/11/29

Tag: Actual Pilates