Plie Squat Circles

Category:	Magic Circle
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Category:	Pilates Lesson Planner
Sub Category:	Magic Circle
Types:	Balance, Hip Opener, Standing, Stretch
Anatomy:	Arms & Shoulders, Biceps & Triceps, Core, Hamstrings, Hips, Knees, Psoas, Wrists & Arms
Chakras:	Base, Heart Centre, Sacral Centre, Solar Plexus Centre
Therapy:	Back Pain, Poor Posture, Sciatica
Drishti:	Tip Of Nose
Dosha:	Kapha, Pitta
Meridian Lines:	Stomach

Stand with feet out wide. Feet turned outwards. Shoulders down. Chest lifted. Hands on hips. Hold magic circle in front of you at shoulder height with slight bend in elbows. Part 1: Squat down while squeezing the circle. Release circle on way up. Part 2: Squeeze and release circle 3 times at bottom of squat. Part 3: Pulse out for 2 sets of 8.

Strengthens glutes and inner thighs.

Squeeze and release circle 3 times at bottom of squat.

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Pilates Squat Pose FAQs

What are other names for Squat Pose?

Deep squat pose
Sitting down pose

What’s the most important thing to be aware of in a Squat pose?

Make sure that the knees are pointing in the same direction as your toes.

What should I be aware of when in a Squat pose?

Squat pose challenges will challenge your entire body because it requires mobility and stability in the ankles, knees, hips, pelvis, and spine.

When in the pose silently ask yourself these questions:

How does it feel?
Where do I feel it?
Are my heels lifted (the goal is to have the heels down)?
Are my ankles rolling in?
Are my arches collapsed?
Are my toes turning out excessively (or do they want to)?
How do my knees look and feel?
Are my knees collapsing in?
Is one knee collapsing in more than the other?
Is one hip closer to the ground?
Am I leaning to one side?
Is my spine straight, arched, or rounding forward?
Is my tailbone tucking under excessively?

If my heels are lifted when in a Squat pose what does that mean?

If your heels are lifted, it usually indicates a limitation in the Achilles tendon and calves. Allow your heels to lift and over time, with regular practice, the heels will lower down to the floor. It may also indicate hamstring tightness, piriformis tightness, or weakness in the gluteus medius. An easy way to make the pose more accessible is to place a rolled-up towel or blanket under the heels for support. If your heels are close to the ground, try widening your feet and turning the toes out.

How wide should my stance be in a Squat pose?

Have fun experimenting with a wide and narrow stance to find the ideal Squat pose width for you. There is no one-size-fits-all.

If my heels are knees collapsed when in a Squat pose what does that mean?

If your knees are collapsed (hips are internally rotated), you may have weak gluteus muscles, tight adductors (inner thighs), or a tight iliotibial band (a band of fascia along the outside of the leg from the hip to the knee).

If my low back is arched excessively when in a Squat pose what does that mean?

If your low back arched excessively, you may have tight hip flexors that are compensating for weak core muscles.

If my spine is rounded forward when in a Squat pose what does that mean?

If your spine is rounded forward, you may have weak erector spinae muscles (iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis), a tight thoracic (middle) spine, or tight hamstrings.

If I lean to one side when in a Squat pose what does that mean?

Leaning to one side could mean that you have a stability problem or an asymmetry (two sides that are not the same) of the ankle, knee, or hip.

If one shoulder is higher than the other in a Squat pose what does that mean?

It’s common for the shoulder of our dominant side to be tighter, and less mobile.

What are some modifications to the Squat pose?

A) Sit on the front edge of a chair.

B) Folded blanket under heels.

C) Lift all ten toes up.

D) Bring arms to the tops of legs and reach outward.

E) Sit back against a wall like you are in a chair.

F) Add a twist.

G) Sit on a block.

H) Roll a blanket and place it in the crease of both knees.

Plie Squat Circles

Pilates Squat Pose FAQs

What are other names for Squat Pose?

What’s the most important thing to be aware of in a Squat pose?

What should I be aware of when in a Squat pose?

If my heels are lifted when in a Squat pose what does that mean?

How wide should my stance be in a Squat pose?

If my heels are knees collapsed when in a Squat pose what does that mean?

If my low back is arched excessively when in a Squat pose what does that mean?

If my spine is rounded forward when in a Squat pose what does that mean?

If I lean to one side when in a Squat pose what does that mean?

If one shoulder is higher than the other in a Squat pose what does that mean?

What are some modifications to the Squat pose?

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