SINGLE LEG CIRCLES

Let’s keep the flow going with the third exercise in the Pilates series, Single Leg Circles. The Single Leg Circles exercise works the outer and inner thigh, and stretches and strengthens the leg from the hip joint.

After you have completed four of the Roll-Ups, lie on your back with your torso anchored to the mat, your knees bent and the soles of your feet on the mat. Feel that your torso is weighted, and your spine is pressing into the mat beneath you. Tuck your chin slightly, so your neck does not begin to arch and the crown of the head does not begin to press into the mat. Press your palms into the mat for stability, without letting your shoulder blades lift off the mat. Inhale and bend your right knee into your chest, exhale and extend your right leg to the ceiling at a 90-degree angle, and slightly turn your leg out from the hip socket so you can see your heel when you start and finish each circle.

Keeping the turn out from the hip socket will ensure that you are working the outer and inner thigh, and less of the quadricep muscle alone. Your left leg remains bent and the sole of your foot is anchored to the mat (no wobbling at all in the leg or hips). Begin your circle with the right leg as you inhale and stretch the leg long and out of the hip socket, across the body, brushing the inside of your left knee, then circling it down, around, and exhale as you bring it back up to the starting position, scooping your navel deeply to your spine.

The accent is on the “upswing,” as you exhale and swing your leg back up, taking a slight pause at the end of each circle, feeling the abdominal muscles at work.

Imagine your leg is a long, heavy lead pole and you are scratching circles on the ceiling with it. As you make your circle, allow your leg to only reach as far forward as you can while keeping your navel scooping deeply to your spine, and your spine and lower back completely anchored to the floor. If your lower back is beginning to arch as you circle your leg, make your circles smaller, focusing on drawing circles on the ceiling with the leg.

Complete three to five repetitions, inhaling as you begin the circle and exhaling as you complete it. Then reverse the circle for three to five repetitions. Keep your hips from wobbling, by using the powerhouse to control your movement. Repeat the circles with the left leg.

TIPS

• Remain perfectly still in your upper body, keeping the shoulders relaxed and focusing your effort from the powerhouse.
• Try not to let the knee turn inward as you circle the leg.
• Think of leading from the inner thigh.
• With the leg turned out from the hip socket, think of engaging the buttock muscle of the circling leg, to stop the quadricep muscle from doing all the work, and to prevent clicking or popping in the hip.
• As your strength increases, gradually increase the size of your circles, maintaining control in your hips.
• When swinging the leg back up, do not swing the leg too far outside of the hip joint. See that the knee is coming up in line with the hip and shoulder. This will ensure that you are using the powerhouse, and not just the quadricep and hip flexor .
• Feel that scooping the navel to your spine is swinging your leg back up to the starting position.

ADVANCED POSITION

Extend the stationary leg long and straight in line with your hip, against the mat. Turn the leg out slightly from the hip socket, and anchor your heel and back of the hip to the mat. Allow your hamstring to sink into the mat, and keep the knee straight, but soft. Begin circling the opposite leg.

Enjoy yourself! Keep it flowing, and consider the other exercises in our Pilates on the Go series for Athleta. You can incorporate Pilates exercises wherever you go, and you might have to get creative — a quiet conference room, a room with a great view, an oasis along a park trail, a hotel room, or just steps away from your bed. Even if you’re a new mom, your child will be fascinated and intrigued. If there’s a stable floor, you can get started.

TARA KROLCZYK grew up studying dance and danced professionally for 15 years on cruise ships, with the Radio City Rockettes, and on concert tours. In between life as a wife and full-time mom with two children, she teaches Pilates and yoga to everyone from senior citizens to time-starved moms and high-school girls' skating teams. Tara also owns LakeSUP.com, a Minnesota Stand Up Paddle outfitter.

Related Chi: Pilates On the Go: Single Leg StretchPilates On the Go: The Roll-UpPilates On the Go: Rolling Like a BallPilates On the Go: The One Hundred