*Equipment Needed :     Reformer.

**The positioning for the Pilates Long Stretch applies to any PLANK position. So be welcome to follow along on the Mat as much of the same principles apply. If you were to have your feet on sliders and push back you’d be imitating this same exercise on the Mat.

Class Level :     ALL levels.

The Course of this Class :     The Long Stretch is in a series of 3 exercises, this is the first. Following it in succession we see the Down Stretch and finally the Up Stretch. We will cover 3 main points: 1) The shoulder girdle; 2) The “zipping up” of our midline and core; and 3) The body posture, or position, for this exercise. We will cover what this exercise is good for and you’ll also understand better how to keep your shoulder blades wide set and flat against your back, as well as externally rotate your arms. We cover a lot of helpful information in this short video which can be transferrable to a lot of other exercises as well. We hope that after this “how to” you will feel not only more confident in setting-up, but also in performing this exercise.

Pilates depends on certain technical foundations, understanding these better will set you up for success in your practice; protect you from injuring yourself; as well as teach you the best alignment your body can achieve! Plus, practicing with the right form, you’ll get A TON more out of the exercise, your level will increase quickly if you stick to it, and so will your results!

See also these tutorials/how to’s : How To: The Down Stretch, How To: The Up Stretch

How To: Serve a Tray Series, How To: : Push ups at the BARRE, How To: Neutral Spine STANDING, How To: Shoulder Positioning, How To: Serve a Tray Series, How To: Pilates Breath the Foundation of it all

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