Short Pilates Mat Workout with High Bridge and Headstand

[@atlantajennallenpilates2896]

This was so wonderful! I've never tried the headstands on the Mat before...always did them on the Reformer. I couldn't quite balance on my head with both hands off so this will be a fun thing to work up to gradually. Thanks for all you do!

[@PilatesAndrea]

Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words on my this video. Yes I feel you - it's hard to balance once the hands go away, just to let you know immediately that you were not using your center LOL Keep up the good work and have fun with this one - and all those headstands :) xo

[@JoaoOliveira-df7pu]

I'm working on these two, yay! For the High Bridge, I'm easing into it with my Spine Corrector. The last time I did, I could take one leg off. Working on that part before I attempt to introduce the up&down motion. For the Headstands, I actually included on my mat to help build strength to do without hands on the Reformer. They feel great, too! All in all, the Mat Work REALLY work your body from inside out, to the crown of the head (literally!) to the tip of the toes. Bonus points if you have a proper mat with straps and handles. As always, great job! It's cool to see more and more women doing these ""men"" exercises! :)

[@PilatesAndrea]

Hi João - thanks so much for watching and for sharing your experiences. I have to remember to include these 2 exercises into all of my workouts - they are definitely ones that if you don't do them they don't get better LOL - keep up the good work! xox

[@JoaoOliveira-df7pu]

@@PilatesAndrea Your comment came in a auspicious time! Just 3 days before I did the High Bridge on the Mat for the first time! Went better than I thought! And I agree with you, if we don't practice, it won't get better. It's something I'm learning to overcome, because it's hard to realize that even though I'm a teacher, there are (and there will always have) exercises that I can't perform as well as I think I should do. As I'm writing this, I'm thinking that it's probably why Pilates improves your personality, too. We learn to be resilient, to love hard work, to trust the process and - most importantly - to trust ourselves.

[@PilatesAndrea]

OMG that last sentence is so beautiful - I may need to share that on my blog... brilliant!! xox Thank you :)

[@JoaoOliveira-df7pu]

@@PilatesAndrea That would be an honor! :D