Props
Props facilitate your energy awareness; they reinforce alignment and core engagement by providing either support or resistance. The yoga props we use include straps, blocks, bolsters, and blankets. Bolsters are wonderful tools for holding the body in sustained restorative poses that facilitate deep relaxation.
Pilates props include stability balls, dynabands, weighted balls and therapeutic rollers. The additional balance challenge that comes with using these props is good for building core strength.
Pilates props include stability balls, dynabands, weighted balls and therapeutic rollers. The additional balance challenge that comes with using these props is good for building core strength.
The Reformer
The reformer is a versatile piece of equipment on which hundreds of exercises can be performed. A reformer workout is essentially resistance training, with your own body providing the weight of the resistance. The supine exercises are performed with the student lying flat on his/her back so the spine is completely supported while the student builds strength in both the core and the skeletal muscles.
In the illustration, Liz is using the short box on top of the platform to get a more intense stretch.
In the illustration, Liz is using the short box on top of the platform to get a more intense stretch.
The Chair
The chair is another piece of Pilates equipment that can add even more variety to a whole body/mind workout. It presents unique core and balancing challenges in that it doesn't provide the same base of support that the reformer does for some of the exercises. On the chair, as for all Pilates equipment based exercises, the emphasis is on stability, alignment, and control.