MODIFICATION
For discomfort when lying on the greater trochanter
Pad around the greater trochanter to take the pressure off.
CUEING AND IMAGERY
ƫ
Keep the shoulders and the hips lined up throughout the
exercise.
•
Imagine you have a cup of coffee balanced on your
shoulder. Don’t spill it!
•
Imagine you have a stake through the hips and you can’t
break it.
ƫ
Keep the abdominals engaged.
•
Scoop the navel toward the spine as the leg goes up.
ƫ
Press the arm into the mat to keep the underside of the
body engaged.
ƫ
Reach the leg away from the hip as it goes up.
•
Imagine you are painting a line on the wall.
•
Keep the waist long on the top side of the torso as the leg
goes up.
ƫ
Lift the leg, not the hip.
ƫ
Crease at the top of the femur, not at the waist.
PURPOSE
ƫ
Strengthen the hip abductors, including the gluteus
maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor
fascia lata
ƫ
Strengthen the hip external rotators, including the gluteus
maximus, piriformis, obturator internus and externus,
gemellus inferior and superior and quadratus femoris
ƫ
Strengthen the lateral torso, including the latissimus
dorsi, internal and external obliques and quadratus
lumborum
ƫ
Develop stability of the torso and pelvis in side lying
PRECAUTIONS
Neck, shoulder, elbow and wrist injuries:
Avoid if they don’t
tolerate the position of the upper body.
Hip injuries:
Limit the range of motion and the number of
repetitions or avoid if it is too uncomfortable.
Lateral hip and greater trochanter pain or discomfort:
Create a hole for the greater trochanter to sit in by padding
around it.
SWIMMING
ADVANCED | 3-5REPS
STARTING POSITION
On Top of the Arc
: Lie on top of the arc, facing away from
the seat with the weight balanced between the upper and
lower body. Reach the arms over head and the legs out
long. Depending on your body proportions, the hips or
abdomen may be on the top of the arc.
On the Bottom of the Arc:
Remove the step, turn the arc
over and place it so the high slope is closest to you. Lie
prone with the arms overhead to find your balance point.
Keep the arc steady throughout the exercise.
MOVEMENT SEQUENCE
ƫ
From the starting position, alternately reach one arm and
the opposite leg away from the center of the body and up
toward the ceiling while maintaining your balance.
CUEING AND IMAGERY
ƫ
Keep the center still as the limbs move.
•
Imagine you have a water glass on the small of your
back. Don’t spill it.
•
Don’t rock the hips from side to side.
ƫ
Reach the legs out first, then up.
•
Imagine your legs are reaching to the walls before
lifting up.
ƫ
If you are lying on the bottom of the arc, keep it still as
you move the arms and legs.
•
Imagine your legs are reaching to the walls before
lifting up
ƫ
Keep the rhythm even through all four limbs.
MODIFICATIONS
Hand and foot stabilization
As one arm and opposite leg reach up and away from the
body, allow the other arm and opposite leg to touch the
floor for stability.
PURPOSE
ƫ
Strengthen the back extensors
ƫ
Strengthen the hip extensors
ƫ
Improve pelvic stability
PRECAUTIONS
Low back problems:
Must tolerate extension or avoid.
2. Lift one leg and the opposite arm
3. Alternate lifting opposite limbs
1. Swimming - Modification
1. Swimming – Bottom of Arc
1 Swimming – Starting Position - Top of Arc
© 2008 Balanced Body Education LLC. All rights reserved.
May not be reproduced in whole or in part.
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PILATES ARC
®
- A DETAILED GUIDE FOR PRACTICING PILATES