Side Kicks
– #pilates4life2020: #17 of 31 exercises
What’s it good for?
🌟 It might be easier to ask what it’s not good for! Lying on your side gives a very narrow base of support and the moving leg carries a lot of momentum. This makes the muscles of the front, side and back all work in a coordinated fashion to stabilize the body. Use the body as a stable platform whilst the leg moves freely!
🌟 Increases hip flexor control and stability
🌟 Muscle focus: abdominals,back extensors, hamstrings & hip flexors.
A Quick Guide to Single Leg Kick
💡 Try starting with the leg lift. The height that you lift your leg isn’t as important as really getting that activation in your seat!
💡 Don’t allow your swinging leg to drop down towards the floor as it sings backwards and forwards.
💡 Imagine your leg swinging forward freely at the hip joint with a gentle recoil at the end of the range of movement before going just a little further in the same direction, in a little pumping action.
💡 Try pointing your toes when you pull your leg back and oint your heel when you kick out..
💡 Press your head into your hands and hands into you head to activate your shoulders.
Joe Pilates on breathing …
💬 Joe Pilates on breathing: “Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Our very life depends on it. Since we cannot live without breathing it is tragically deplorable to contemplate the millions and millions who have never learned to master the art of correct breathing.”
