I wasn’t always a fan of stretching because I used to equate it to pain. 🙄 As a kid taking dance classes, I was never as flexible as most of the other dancers. I would force myself too far into stretches without having grasped the concept of core stability. No wonder I found it painful and no wonder my flexibility wasn’t improving. I wasn’t able to sit up tall with my legs straight out without feeling strain in my back, hip flexors, and even in my neck. This was a position I would often find in dance warmups. It’s not hard to move your spine freely, if you have the flexibility to do so in that position. But if your back, hip flexors, and hamstrings are too tight like mine were, it’s really difficult to do anything in that position without any modification (sitting on a box). I’ve come a long way since those days. Now, I can sit up easily in this position without any strain, allowing my back to move freely. The cadillac table push through bar is also a helpful resistance tool. 😋 Stretching feels amazing if you listen to your body and DO IT RIGHT. Know your limitations and use props for extra support if necessary. Forcing a stretch can result in injury. Most importantly of all, BREATHE. 🌬 Having control over your breath is 🔑 for a well executed stretch. (Center clips are sped up 2X) Tap for 🐠, double tap for 💟 #relpilates #pilates #pilateslovers #pilatesteacher #pilatespro #pilatestrainer #iteachpilates #wellness #fitness #corestrength #pilatesworks #brooklynpilates #pilatesexercises #ilovepilates #moveyourbody #pilatesstudio #pilatesflow #pilatesdance #pilatesimprovised #fullbodyworkout #stretch #stretchingtips #pilatesandphish #phishphan #kaleidoscope #kaleidoscopepilates #pilatestrip #PhishTheSloth (at The Heights Casino)