The medicine ball is definitely not a traditional piece of Pilates equipment. However, exercise balls in general have been embraced by much of the Pilates community as fun, adjunct ways to add challenge to exercises -- in keeping with the Pilates focus on stability and balance.

Here we take the Pilates shoulder bridge mat exercise and add a little extra work for the legs and powerhouse by putting the feet up on a medicine ball. If you don't have a medicine ball, you might also use weighted toning balls.

Do Shoulder Bridge with Medicine Ball

Or Do Shoulder Bridge on the Mat,  a very effective classic Pilates exercise.

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

_{Photo courtesy of Simon Trangmar}

Not long ago I wrote a blog titled Why a Pilates Conference Should Be on Your Horizon. In it I talked about the pleasures and benefits of attending a Pilates conference. I also listed several of the conferences that had made their way onto my radar this year.

But what became obvious immediately after I published my "short list" was that there were many other fabulous Pilates conferences coming up that I either hadn't remembered, heard about, or had room for. Also, the international community chimed in, and rightfully so, asking for leads on conferences in Australia and Europe, and I'm sure there was interest in other places as well.

In response, I've created a free submission form that will result in an ongoing, international, reference list for Pilates conferences. The listings will include the vital info such as date, time, and place as well as details such as the theme of the conference and who will be teaching.

So, if you are marketing a Pilates conference, please list your conference. If you know someone or a Pilates company that should hear about this opportunity, please forward this blog or the link to the submission form along to them.  Keep in mind the listing is for conferences, not workshops. You can see the criteria on the submission form.

Thank you for participating and I hope to have the beginnings of the listing resource available to all soon!

Related Listings and Forms:

Pilates Instructor Training Program Published Listings
Pilates Instructor Training Program Submission Form

Online Pilates Studio Published Listings
Online Pilates Studio Tour Submission Form

I like this intermediate level Pilates ball sequence. I like it because for a short workout, it is very well balanced. It keeps the core working as it moves from exercises emphasizing the front body to the back and on to the arms and shoulders, hips and legs. This is a great ball workout to call on as part of your Summer body shape up.

Do a Pilates Workout on the Ball

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

Sometimes I wake up in the morning, Mondays in particular, and think to myself: I don't need to dress, I don't need to go to my office or to the studio to workout. I'll just stay here in bed and elves will bring me breakfast. Can you relate?

I might be a little delirious about the elves or working in bed but the fact is, Pilates can definitely be done in bed.  I'm not saying one is going to get all the benefits of Pilates by doing a few exercises in bed -- not by a long shot -- but Pilates and beds do have a long history together. We talk about that, and look at some Pilates exercises that can be done in bed in the newest Pilates exercise set here, 6 Pilates Exercises You Can Do in Bed, which features exercises special guest instructor Siri Galliano has put together for us.

Siri Galliano is a long-time Pilates instructor and teacher of teachers, who travels internationally teaching at workshops and conferences. She is the founder of the Big Bear Pilates Festival (next one is August 9 - 11) and maintains a Pilates studio in Big Bear, California as well.
Please see: 6 Pilates Exercises You Can Do in Bed

Related Reading:
Better Sleep Tips from Joseph Pilates
"Don't Worry. We Fix", Joseph Pilates

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