Double Leg Stretch
The Pilates double leg stretch: from a tight tuck with the head curled up, the arms and legs reach out long together and sweep back to hug the knees.
How to do it
Setup
Lying on the back, head and shoulders curled up, knees hugged to the chest.
Steps
- Reach the arms overhead and the legs out long at the same time.
- Keep the head and shoulders up and the lower back down.
- Circle the arms round and hug the knees back in.
Common mistakes
Lower back arching as the legs go out: reach them higher until it stays down. Head dropping back to the floor: keep the curl the whole time. Rushing the reach: stretch long for a beat, then fold in.
Breathing
Inhale reaching out, exhale hugging in.
