Happy Rolling

I Love this image! I Love Pilates! It may look like a simple pose, but it is actually the start of a very challenging exercise when done thoughtfully. Rolling like a ball can be for so much more then just a massage of the spine. Just the definition in the arms should inspire you to challenge this one exercise to it's next level. If you have become comfortable with rolling like a ball here are some things to think about....
1: There is always two sides of the coin.
2: Work the opposing force
How? Look in a mirror, can you roll all the way to the top of your back, then come up and balance without losing the lines of the exercise?

After you're warmed up start in the position shown and engage your arms to hold your legs, do not allow them to move away from your body. Use your back muscles to hold your arms. Use your power house to control and initiate the movement. Are you lifted as you hold the curve of the exercise? Ask yourself, "Is my head staying in this same position no matter where I am in the movement"? Are your arms staying in the same position? Is your neck relaxed?
Also you can try moving your heels closer to your glutes. If you are truly not breaking the lines of this movement you should feel your abdominal muscles, triceps, biceps, postural muscles and obliques. If you have been and you know you got it you can try with arms straight out in front of you. You can also try it with legs together and your arms wrapped around your legs.. Remember every exercise will take a little bit different technique to challenge different body types. If you are tight it will take one set of corrections and if you are flexible it will most likely take the opposite. Happy rolling..