Chest Lift with Rotation
The Pilates chest lift with a twist: the head and shoulders curl up and the ribs turn toward one knee, the feet staying down.
How to do it
Setup
Lying on the back, knees bent, feet flat, hands laced behind the head, elbows wide.
Steps
- Curl the head and shoulders off the floor.
- Turn the chest toward one knee, the opposite shoulder lifting higher.
- Return through the middle and turn to the other side.
Common mistakes
Hands hauling the head up: they only cradle it; the ribs lead. Elbows folding in: keep them wide so the chest turns, not just the arms. Lower back peeling off the floor: keep the curl low and the back down.
Breathing
Exhale as you turn, inhale through the middle.
