Focus :   

It’s time to stretch it all out! Do you wonder how to gain flexibility? Well, much like balance, it comes and stays with practice. The moment it’s neglected it kinda slips away. And we don’t want that, especially when focusing on lean muscle gain, long lean lines in our other workouts. We are going to need to lengthen those muscles as much as we have been contracting them! Today is for bringing breath, moving out stiffness, opening and lengthening. I know it might hurt 😉 but we’ll go slowly and our stretches are active not passive. This simply means that you’ll be gently moving in and out of that stretch phase so that your muscles will naturally relax and gain flexibility. What’s the opposite? Passive stretching. It has it’s place too, BUT this fatigues a muscle holding it under tension (yes, that’s where the stretch “hurts”) until it gives way. I always give the example of an elastic hair tie or a rubber band. If you want it to maintain it’s elasticity you don’t pull it so tight long enough that it gets bigger but afterward will never go back to having the same elasticity. Get the idea?

Equipment Needed :     

Reformer and the Reformer box. If you do not have the box you may just forgo our Climb a Tree exercise. The mermaid you can do directly on the carriage.

Class Level :     

ALL levels. For everyone!

The Course of this Class :   

We start with some classical Pilates mat work on the Reformer, it feels really lovely. Then onto typical favorites like “semi-circle” or “wheel”, leg circles and short spine. Onto shortbox stretches for the spine and the entire side of the body. We’ll stretch the psoas, hip flexors and piriformis and hamstrings which are often tight areas for most people whether you’ve been working out a lot or sitting a lot.

We move slowly, mindfully and with our breath today. Lots of breath work in each of these stretches to encourage oxygen delivery to those areas that are stiff, sore and tight. Stretching was never my favorite activity, I know for some of you it is, but if you are like me, stick to it and I promise it’ll get easier and you’ll find the benefits!

Let me know how you liked class and how you feel now in comments! 👇🏼

Goals :     

Gain flexibility, create space and length in body and in muscle fibers. Encourage oxygen delivery, circulation and blood flow for healing, recovery, cleansing and both energy and relaxation. Release tension and stress. Heal sore, stiff and tight muscles. Move out stale stuck tissue. Use active stretches to gain flexibility.

Other fit challenges you may like :   

5 DAY POSTURE RETRAINING

Other Stretch related classes to try :   

Stretch it out “Reformer Every Day” BONUS DAY, Delicious Full Body Stretch Break, Partner Pilates Mat Class Live Replay with Cloè & Aron, Full Body Stretch Session: on its own, before, or after a workout!, Shoulder Stretch, Strengthen & Release Live Replay, Stretch, Rest, Recover, Shoulder Stretch, Strengthen & Release Live Replay with Cloè

Keep daily fit with us here