Why do a lot of Pilates practitioners walking into a Pilates class grimace when they see the Magic Circle next to their mat??
Would you believe me if I told you that when I first started Pilates I considered the Magic Circle my nemesis prop??
It's TRUE!! I would even go so far as to say that whenever I walked into mat class and saw the Magic Circle, I contemplated leaving. LOL!!! Oh my, how things have changed!!! I LOVE the Magic Circle now!
The Magic Circle or the "Pilates Ring" is a prop that a lot of Pilates students see as a challenge prop, meaning it makes their mat practice harder than it already is.
But what if I told you there are ways you can use the Magic Circle in your Pilates mat practice to help support the exercises? Would you give it a try?
Below I'll give you 3 ways to use the Magic Circle to SUPPORT your mat practice and 3 ways to CHALLENGE your mat practice! It's going to be SO GOOD!!
And as a BONUS - I've put a link to a 20 minute Workout at the end of the blog.
3 Ways to Support your Pilates Practice with the Magic Circle
Behind the Head
Placing the Magic Circle behind the head during Neck Pull allows the shoulders and back to open up.
It's also great for those who struggle to put their hands behind their head for this exercise. With a little more space to open us up, it can make Neck Pull a little more accessible.
Around the Feet
Placing the Magic Circle around the feet during Roll Up can create a connection close to having a strap on your mat.
Press out into the Magic Circle to create engagement in the legs!
Stretching!!
You can add Leg Stretches before or after Single Leg Circle or you can use the Magic Circle to stretch the legs and do a little bit of a hip lift during Jack-Knife. Adding the stretches are so good for our bodies and our minds!
3 Ways to Challenge your Pilates Practice with the Magic Circle
Between the Legs
Placing the Magic Circle between the legs for certain exercises such as The Hundred or Cork-Screw makes your body work more to stabilize.
Wait. What?
When your legs are together, they get to work as one. They get to work together = more muscle connections.
When we open the legs up, our body has to figure out how to use the muscles without the same amount of help. We call this opening the kinetic chain in teacher training.
All you really need to know is that it does, indeed, create a fun challenge!
Under the Heel(s)
Placing the Magic Circle under the heels for The Hundred or under one heel for Single Leg Circle gives an extra stability and core challenge to the exercises.
If you want to add extra "fun" to The Hundred, you can press down into the Magic Circle for a 5 count and lift up for the other 5 count whilst pumping the arms. Great brain food, too!
Presses with the Magic Circle above the Body
Placing the Magic Circle between the palms or around the outside of the hands, you can pulses in or out to get a little extra arm work.
Another challenge would be to do this during exercises where your arms are typically on the mat, such as Shoulder Bridge, Single Leg Circle, or even Cork-Screw.
Want to try the Magic Circle??
Enjoy this free Magic Circle Workout featuring the 5 Body Shapes on my YouTube Channel. Please like, share with others, and subscribe!
If you haven't read my blog post: Knowing Yourself - Ways to Improve Movement in Your Body - please read through that post. It's a great way for you to understand how the body moves and the shapes we make.
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