Side Pulse Circle
| Similar Pose Names: | Side pulses magic circle |
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| Category: | Magic Circle |
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How to Do Magic Circle Side Pulse: 30 Modifications for All Levels
Pilates Magic Circle Side Pulse
The Magic Circle Side Pulse is a deceptively simple strength-and-control exercise featured in the Flow & Precision category of the Magic Circle Pilates Card Deck. It’s ideal for building shoulder stability, lateral core support, and that “everything stays stacked” posture control, while the ring gives you instant feedback on alignment and effort.
In this variation, you stand tall with heels together and toes apart. You bring the ring to one hip and hold it with the heel of the hand, keeping the arm close to the body. With the core engaged and the ribs stacked over the pelvis, you pulse the ring ten times with controlled pressure, then switch sides and repeat. The challenge is to pulse without leaning, hiking the shoulder, or twisting through the torso. Done well, it strengthens the stabilisers around the shoulder and trunk while keeping the movement clean and precise.
Below are 30 modifications for the Magic Circle Side Pulse, organised by level. These variations are ideal for tailoring the move to clients in mixed-level classes, private sessions, or warm-up/finisher sequences.
10 Beginner Modifications for Magic Circle Side Pulse
Beginner Modification 1: Parallel Stance
Stand with feet hip-width in parallel instead of heels-together turnout.
Beginner Modification 2: Softer Knees
Keep a gentle bend in the knees to reduce tension and improve balance.
Beginner Modification 3: Lighter Ring Pressure
Use a soft, easy pulse to avoid gripping in the neck and shoulder.
Beginner Modification 4: Fewer Pulses
Do five pulses per side, rest, then complete five more.
Beginner Modification 5: Slower Pulses
Pulse slowly to maintain posture and keep the movement controlled.
Beginner Modification 6: Ring Slightly Forward
Hold the ring a little in front of the hip to find a comfortable shoulder position.
Beginner Modification 7: Wall Support
Stand beside a wall for balance and to prevent side-leaning.
Beginner Modification 8: Top Hand Support
Place the free hand on the ribs or waist to cue “no rib flare” during pulsing.
Beginner Modification 9: Seated Version
Perform seated tall on a chair and pulse at the hip for easier balance.
Beginner Modification 10: Ring-Free Practice
Remove the ring and practise small side pulses with the hand to learn alignment.
10 Intermediate Modifications for Magic Circle Side Pulse
Intermediate Modification 1: Pilates V Stance
Stand with heels together and toes apart, feeling grounded and tall.
Intermediate Modification 2: Standard 10 Pulses
Pulse the ring ten times with steady ribs, relaxed neck, and quiet hips.
Intermediate Modification 3: Add a 5-Second Hold
After ten pulses, hold a firm press into the ring for five seconds.
Intermediate Modification 4: Exhale on Pulses
Exhale through the pulses to deepen core support and reduce shoulder tension.
Intermediate Modification 5: Slower Eccentric Release
Press into the ring on the pulse, then release more slowly for control.
Intermediate Modification 6: Increase to 15 Pulses
Add five extra pulses per side while keeping posture steady.
Intermediate Modification 7: Add Arm Length
Keep the ring at the hip but lengthen the elbow slightly away from the body.
Intermediate Modification 8: Balance Focus
Keep weight evenly distributed through both feet and avoid shifting into one hip.
Intermediate Modification 9: Two Sets Per Side
Complete two rounds of ten pulses on each side to build endurance.
Intermediate Modification 10: Tempo Ladder
Do 5 slow pulses, 5 normal pulses, then switch sides.
10 Advanced Modifications for Magic Circle Side Pulse
Advanced Modification 1: Strong Isometric Press
Maintain a firm press into the ring for the entire set without pulsing.
Advanced Modification 2: Pulse and Hold Pattern
Pulse four times, then hold for four counts, repeating until ten pulses are done.
Advanced Modification 3: Narrower Base Challenge
Bring feet closer together or tighten the turnout to increase balance demand.
Advanced Modification 4: Heel Lift Challenge
Rise slightly onto the balls of the feet while pulsing to challenge stability.
Advanced Modification 5: Slow 3-Second Pulses
Make each pulse a three-second press and a three-second release.
Advanced Modification 6: Increase to 20 Pulses
Perform twenty controlled pulses per side with zero torso lean.
Advanced Modification 7: Add Side Bend Accent
Add a tiny side bend away from the ring during the hold phase, then return.
Advanced Modification 8: Add Rotation Control
Keep the pelvis square and resist any torso rotation as you pulse.
Advanced Modification 9: Marching Variation
March slowly in place while pulsing the ring to increase coordination demand.
Advanced Modification 10: Lunge Stance Pulse
Step into a split stance or small lunge and pulse at the hip for deeper stability work.
George’s Conclusion
The Magic Circle Side Pulse is a small movement that delivers big postural benefits. It strengthens the stabilisers around the shoulder, encourages rib-and-pelvis alignment, and builds that steady, upright control that carries into everything from standing sequences to arm work and balance exercises. When the pulses stay controlled and the torso stays quiet, you get pure Pilates precision.
This is one of 50 exercises featured in the Magic Circle Pilates Card Deck, designed to give teachers and students an easy way to structure, modify, and explore Pilates sessions. Whether you’re planning classes, creating home workouts, or simply wanting fresh inspiration, the Card Deck puts variety and progression at your fingertips.
Pilates Magic Circle Card Deck
Pilates Magic Circle Card Deck
Below are the 50 exercises included in the Magic Circle Pilates Card Deck—neatly categorised and totally clickable. Each link lets you preview the move, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Core & Stability Category (Blue Border)
The 17 exercises in the “core & stability” category progress logically from foundational core work to more dynamic challenges. The sequence flows from: supine basics → crunch variations → rotation → double-leg load → reach patterns → roll-up sequence → seated control → kneeling stability → supine leg circles.
Together, these exercises strengthen your centre, improve postural control, and build balanced stability from the inside out — helping you move with precision, support, and confidence in every Pilates session.
- Crunches
- Crunch Pulse
- Crunch Arm Twist
- Crunch Arm Twist Pulse
- Crunch Double Leg
- Crunch Double Leg Twist
- Double Leg Lift
- Double Leg Pulse
- Double Leg Stretch
- Leg Reach Crunch
- Leg Reach Pulse
- Halfway Rollback Twist
- Full Roll Up
- Knee Pulses Side I
- Knee Pulses Side II
- Bird Dog
- Single Leg
Flexibility & Stretching Category (Green Border)
The 16 exercises in the “flexibility & stretching” category are organised for a natural progression through the body. The flow moves from: standing lengthening → forward folds → kneeling rotations → side-lying hip mobility → lunges → bridges → kneeling extensions → hamstring stretches → finishing with a grounded upper-body opener.
These movements release tight muscles, enhance mobility, and improve range of motion using the Magic Circle as a gentle stretching aid. Great for warming up, cooling down, or restoring ease to the body after long days or tough workouts.
- Calf Stretch
- Forward Fold
- Spinal Twist
- Side Bend
- Side Pulse
- Leg Side Pulse I
- Leg Side Pulse II
- Lunge I
- Lunge II
- Hip Lift
- Bridge
- Kneeling Down Dog
- Kneeling Squat
- Single Leg Stretch
- Single Leg Toe Touch
- Pushup
Strength Category (Red Border)
The 17 exercises in the “strength” category move from upper-body strength to lower-body power, following a deliberate progression: upper-body pulses → chest squeezes → shoulder work → triceps → inner-thigh pulses → leg lifts → standing adduction work → lunges and squats → finishing with deep lower-body strength.
These exercises use the Magic Circle’s resistance to tone the arms, sculpt the legs, and build total-body strength — delivering a powerful, well-structured sequence that challenges the whole body in a balanced way.
