10. Pilates Obliques

Starting Position – Laying on your back, legs are in tabletop position, lower back is imprinted. Upper body is flexed off the mat with hands behind the head (elbows out nice and wide). Slide the shoulder blades down your back. Chin is tucked (apple space between the chest and chin), eye gaze at the knees.

  • EXHALE – Extend one leg out to the diagonal or lower (to where imprint can be maintained) and simultaneously rotate the upper body to the opposite bent knee (reach the armpit to the knee and not the elbow; keep the elbows nice and wide).
  • INHALE – begin to switch legs
  • Repeat to 8 reps on each leg

Add-ons and Modifications:

  • To make the exercise easier:
    • Keep legs on the floor (in ab prep position) and just do upper body rotations. Keep outside elbow on the mat as you rotate.
  • To make the exercise harder:
    • Slow the exercise down
    • Bring knees in only to 90 degrees
    • Hold a fitness circle or weight ball above chest and rotate to each side keeping arms straight.