Did you get something Pilates for Christmas? An exercise ball, resistance band, or Pilates ring for example? If you did, you might be wondering, what's the official Pilates thing to do with this?

Before I point you in the direction of exercise instructions, I'd like to offer a suggestion:

Play. Get to know the equipment a little bit before you get serious with exercises. If you do, it will be easier to following instructions because you will have worked out the first bits of how the thing works. Also, your exercises will be more effective if you experiment with the potentials different pieces of equipment offer in terms of resistance or stability challenges.

If you got a band, stretch it all different ways -- overhead, with it under a foot, on the diagonal, etc.... Find out how it feels to your muscles to stretch it as far as you can (reasonably). How about if you resist as you release it? What if you double it? Then move on to resistance band exercises.

If you got an exercise ball, let's face it, you got a toy! Before you start following directions for what to do with the ball, just roll around and find out how it moves, and how it feels to have your body on it, or under it. What if you hold it between your hands and raise it up? What if you lie on the floor, put it between your ankles and push the exercise ball up toward the ceiling? -- stuff like that. Then, move on to exercise ball exercises.

Finally, the Pilates ring. Chances are when you got it, you, or some iron pumping type, picked it up and pushed the sides together as hard as you could. Finding it not too hard, the ring was dismissed as girls stuff. Well, guess what? Pushing the sides together as hard as you can is pretty far from the point of this equipment. If you do choose to do that you have to be able to control the release just as easily as you did the contraction. But anyway, you have to get that first, I can crush this thing out of the way. Then move on to Pilates ring exercise instructions.

_{photo: STOTT PILATES® photography © Merrithew Corporation}

Open leg rocker is an excellent way to finely tune abdominal work. Use this exercise to practice sequential control between the upper and lower abdominal areas. You will need to keep your abdominals engaged in a deep scoop, and use your breath, to keep this rolling exercise flowing and controlled. A core strengthener, open leg rocker stimulates the spine and encourages full breathing as well.

Get the Full Instructions for Open Leg Rocker.

a related link: Tips for Rolling Exercises

Have the Exercise of the Week, along with other great Pilates info sent directly to you each week in the Free Pilates Newsletter.

_{photo: Susie Haggas (c) 2006 Marguerite Ogle.}

There is no doubt about it: workout schedules get crazy in the weeks around Christmas. Lots of people are traveling, studios and gyms close, and even if the studio is open it feels like there's no time to get there.

Well, this might be a very good time to find a sliver of time, and a corner of your house, and do some Pilates on your own. As I write this we have just moved into the first day of winter (it's been freezing here forever) and it feels like a very good time to talk about the many benefits, and delights, of doing Pilates in the coziness of one's own home.

Read my latest inspirational list: The Joys of Pilates at Home

It's not too late to get the big stuff. Check the bottom of this blog for help with that. But what I think is lots of fun is the last minute stocking stuffer. There is something really touching about a well-considered "little" gift.

So what's going to fit in a stocking? Here are some ideas:

• Pilates DVDs -- Read Reviews Compare Prices
• Exercise Bands--Get Buying Tips Compare Prices
• Pilates Footwear like Pilates socks and shoes. Abi and Joseph has a nice sock with grips on the bottom. Yogi Socks work well for Pilates. And the Pilates Shu is very popular (yes, they fit in a stocking --odd pun!).
• MP3 Player -- Yes, a slightly bigger budget, but lots of downloadable fitness programs are available these days making this a relevant gift. Compare Prices

Most of the items above can be bought online (there is time - see compare prices) and found in stores - sports stores, yoga shops, and the big box types like Target, Costco and the various ?-Marts. I've even found good Pilates buys in places like Tuesday Morning, Ross, and Marshalls.

Help with the big stuff:

Pilates Gift List

Pilates Buyer's Guide

Budget Pilates Equipment

_{photo: photoxpress}