March MATness Day 26: The Side Bend

[ChannelRunner2]

I prepare these posts on Saturdays, so I didn’t notice on Friday that with Day 24 we entered the final week. We’re now well on our way – and can see the finish line!

❓How is everybody doing?❓ From the comments it sounds like many are finding their own ways to participate – from watching the videos and catching up on certain days. As long as you’re having fun it all counts! 😎 I commented at least once, the reason for all my work is so that it’s there as a resource for next month or next year or whenever…

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Today, on day 26, we start with the final seven exercises. The idea is that all the previous exercises prepared us for what is coming now. 🤣 Sorry, I just had to laugh because even if you’re doing the prior 27 exercises, the side bend might still be a challenge. It certainly is for me! Remember we can modify, modify, modify!

Andrea Maida actually agrees with the struggle: “As much as I personally struggle with this exercise, it is a nice big stretch like a cat. Joe Pilates’ version of a treat after all that precedes it. A big wringing out of the sides that you just trashed in the Side Kicks Kneeling. And some time to breathe and collect yourselves for the big finish.” (pilatesandrea.com/on-the-or...

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What is not optional is the warm-up, do at least The Hundred, maybe all of the previous 27 exercises. Then repeat this exercise 3 times on each side.

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Follow Joe’s instructions from the excerpt from Return to Life. And make sure to modify to ensure your body gets what you need today.

Instructions from Online Pilates Classes – with suggestions on how to make the exercise easier starting at about 03:08:

youtu.be/n6l4K2bDbe4(Not working as expected?)

You can read more about the exercise and written instructions at the OPC page for it: onlinepilatesclasses.com/pi...

Andrea Maida’s March MATness video queued up to the Side Bend:

youtu.be/b7qHYd6q9Ac?t=1044(Not working as expected?)

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Another set of instructions from the Pilates Lesson Plan, including a video and modification suggestions, are here: georgewatts.org/lesson-plan... (and pilateslessonplans.co.uk/fr... )

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Standing variations for exercises 26-30 from RAD Pilates: instagram.com/reel/CaVZQ33B...

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Photo from Return to Life as published by Presentation Dynamics. Photos are far better reproduced in the paperback published by the Pilates Method Alliance in 2010, which isn’t available electronically. (See this post for the title page: healthunlocked.com/strength... )

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★ Our March MATness summary page: healthunlocked.com/strength... ★

[RollingPea]

Doing OK thanks. Pilates is so much more than I ever realised. Great fun to try out these exercises during after run warm down. This is going to be a great resource for all. You are on the home stretch. Thank you so much.