{"id":5285,"date":"2015-02-03T07:32:55","date_gmt":"2015-02-03T07:32:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pilates4fitness.com\/site\/?p=5285"},"modified":"2015-02-02T22:40:07","modified_gmt":"2015-02-02T22:40:07","slug":"two-challenging-favorite-moves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pilates4fitness.com\/site\/two-challenging-favorite-moves\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Challenging & Favorite Moves"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jack Knife and Control Balance are two very challenging Pilates Mat Intermediate\/Advanced exercises that we love to hate. Doing them on the mat is tough stuff and a huge challenge mentally and physicially for most of us. So why is it, doing these same challenging moves – with the TRX – are two of the studio’s “hands down” favorite moves?
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\"TRX-JackKnife-Pilates4Fitness\"
TRX Jack Knife<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My thought is that they are so exhilarating and empowering. \u00a0They are gravity-defying exercises that make us feel great having finished it. \u00a0Defying gravity is never for the faint of heart.<\/p>\n

Caroline and Cynthia were in an early morning class more than a year ago and captured perfectly executing the Jack Knife with full engagement of their powerhouse core,\u00a0attentive focus\u00a0and graceful suspension.<\/p>\n

Typically, I transition from this move to a TRX Teaser in a slow-controlled movement being sure that no one uses momentum to initiate the movement.<\/p>\n

After 3 repetitions of both moves, we\u00a0want a much needed, well-deserved pause and break. \u00a0Phew!<\/p>\n

While it looks similar, as yes, it is also an overhead exercise (and \u00a0not for the beginner student), \u00a0the powerhouse core remains the driver and the arms are still suspended with the straps. \u00a0It reminds me of the advanced mat exercise, as the lift of the hips over the shoulders, its control,\u00a0concentration\u00a0and active resistance in TWO directions (reaching up and reaching back of the legs) feels like Control Balance.<\/a> \u00a0The difference, of course,\u00a0is we don’t let go of the TRX straps.<\/p>\n

While all my TRX students tackle the first step, the strongest students, like Alina and Vernell, shown below, make it look like a graceful, easy flowing dance. \u00a0A controlled balance in the air.<\/p>\n

We love this one.<\/p>\n