Issue #357 – Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Twist Kneeling on the Reformer
(an exercise I created)
by Brett Miller
In case you did not get the info from the title of this article, this is one of the exercises I use to get a person ready for doing a full Teaser on the Reformer. It requires balance and strengh , but most importantly it ties the use of the arms in with the use of the center – or Powerhouse….and it is this skill, more than any other, that is needed to do a great teaser.
This is a sweet and mellow exercise, perhaps something to do when an easy workout it what the doctor ordered. There is basically only 3 positions.
First of all, use a SUPER LIGHT spring.
Position #1 – Sit on the heels facing back of the Reformer with a vertical long spine and head balanced at the top. Twist body to hold the strap handle on the opposite side of the Reformer..
Next – twist the body and pull back and up the elbow to a back diagonal while spine stays long, the hand will be near the shoulder and your focus is over the elbow.
This is position #2 – remember the shoulders are wide the head is balanced! It is already feeling good!
Ok, ready for position number three – consciously keep a constant body position.
Brett Miller is the founder of Pilates Intel, he started his professional life in the world of ballet, working with various companies in the US. Later on he moved to New York and branched out into modern along with the ballet. Since then, he has lived in Finland and now in Stockholm Sweden.
Brett became a Pilates instructor in 2005 and has been teaching ever since. The intelligent technique that Pilates is, and the chance to continue to be physical, attracted him to this field after being so long in the dance world. Along with teaching Pilates and publishing Pilates Intel, Brett is a software developer for Ericsson.