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Pilates Side Kick Series

By Marguerite Ogle, About.com

Updated: June 12, 2008

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Side Kick Front/Back

pilates mat exercise

Side Kick Front

photo: Lara Kolesar, courtesy of Peak Pilates
Kick Front
  • Lift the top leg a few inches. Flex the foot and send energy out through the heel.

  • With the foot flexed, swing the top leg to the front. At the full length of your kick, do a small pulse kick.
Lengthen Back
  • Keeping length in your leg and through the whole body, point your toe and sweep the top leg to the back. Pause, but do not do a second kick.

    Important: Only reach as far back as you can go without crunching the low back or moving the pelvis. Again, a big part of the challenge of the exercise is to use the core muscles to keep the entire trunk of the body stable.

  • Flex the foot and kick to the front.

    Repeat this exercise 5 to 10 times.
Kneeling side kick takes the challenge of this exercise a step further. Be sure to try it once you are comfortable with the one.

The article, Kneeling Side Kick - Before and After, offers detailed insight into the mechanics of this move.

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