STOMACH MASSAGE WITH THE ARC
BEGINNING | 6 REPS
Springs:
2RB to 3R
Footbar:
Low
Arc only:
High slope to footbar, middle arch
This is a much easier version of Stomach Massage for
clients who are not very strong, tend to sink into their lower
backs or who are very tight in their hamstrings. It is also
a good footwork alternative for pregnant women after
5 months until their abdomen gets too large for the hip
flexion to be comfortable.
STARTING POSITION
Sit on the Reformer with your sacrum against the high
slope edge of the arc. Place your feet on the footbar in the
V-feet position and place your torso and hands in one of
the positions listed below.
MOVEMENT SEQUENCE
Exhale
– Engage the abdominals and straighten the legs to
press the carriage back.
Inhale
– Lower the heels under the bar, rise up on to the
balls of the feet and return to the starting position.
STOMACH MASSAGE VARIATIONS
(see Reformer 2 Manual for more details)
ƫ
Round Back
ƫ
Reach
ƫ
Twist
ƫ
Single Leg (no photo)
ADDITIONAL VARIATIONS
Monkey
Place the feet in parallel on the footbar with the knees bent
and place the hands on the footbar. Straighten the legs
and press the carriage back to stretch the lower back and
the hamstrings.
1. Stomach Massage Round Back - Starting Position - Hands on edge
of carriage
2. Straighten the legs and press the carriage back
3. Lower the heels under the footbar
4. Rise up onto the balls of the feet before bending the knees and
returning to the starting position
CUEING AND IMAGERY
ƫ
Stay seated on the ischial tuberosities (sit bones).
•
Imagine your sit bones are like a mountain, stay on the
very top. Don’t roll off either side.
ƫ
Keep lifting up and out of the hips.
•
Imagine a partner is holding your hips and lifting them
off the legs as the legs straighten and bend.
ƫ
Maintain a slight amount of lumbar flexion.
•
Instructor use fingers on the lumbar spinous processes
to cue a slight curve.
ƫ
Keep the head in line with the spine.
•
Cue the eye focus to adjust the alignment of the head.
PURPOSE
ƫ
Strengthen the abdominals and the torso
ƫ
Strengthen the legs including the quadriceps, hamstrings,
adductors and calves
ƫ
Increase flexibility of the lumbar spine, hamstrings and
calves
ƫ
Improve leg alignment
ƫ
Teach scapular stabilization
PRECAUTIONS
Low back and sacroiliac joint issues:
Avoid if lumbar flexion
increases symptoms.
Knee issues:
Sit farther away from the footbar to decrease
knee flexion or avoid if symptoms increase.
Tight hamstrings, weak torsos, pregnancy:
Support the
back by placing the box in short box position on its side
behind you and leaning back into it.
Avoid with osteoporosis.
1. Stomach Massage Reach and Twist - Starting Position - Hands
reaching forward
2. Stomach Massage Twist - Rotate and reach one arm out
1. Monkey - Starting Position - Legs parallel, hands on footbar
2. Straighten the legs to stretch the hamstrings and the lower back
© 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