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Pilates Side Kick Series

By , About.com Guide

Updated May 08, 2012

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5 of 5

Inner Thigh Lifts
pilates exercise picture

Inner Thigh Lifts

photo: Lare Kolesar, by Peter Kramer, courtesy of Kolesar Studios
For inner thigh lifts, the top arm and leg are in new positions, but the initial set up is the same as it was for the other exercises in this series.

Bring the foot of your top leg up to rest in front of your hips.

Thread your top hand behind the calf and grasp the outside of your ankle.
For more stability, modify it so the foot rests in front of your thigh, and the top hand is flat on the floor in front of your chest.

Inhale: Keeping the bottom leg straight, use your inner thigh to raise it a few inches off the floor. The feeling is that you extend the leg so long that it raises up off the floor.

Exhale: Maintain that sense of length as you slowly lower the leg to the floor.

Do 5 to 8 sets on each side.

See the Full Instructions for Inner Thigh Lifts for more information, links and tips.

Bonus Exercise: Pilates Side Scissors

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