Scorpion

This is Scorpion pose and is considered to be an advanced classical Pilates exercise. It can be done across several apparatus; this is Scorpion on the Ladder Barrel. Depending on the lineage of the instructor, this could be considered an archival exercise. What is an archival Pilates exercise? Well, it's complicated. It depends on who you ask and what their distinct lineage is. Basically, an archival exercise is one that is not in common use, typically quite advanced. One thing most Pilates practitioners can agree on is that they are all lesser known exercises. I think it is very important to continue teaching these archival exercises to those who need them and can perform them safely, with proper classical instruction.

I'm not going to try to explain how to do Scorpion because I believe it is not for every body. It would come into someone's personal practice after years of consistently practicing the classical method and with proper guidance of an authentic or classically trained instructor. It is intense, requires flexibility and strength and total coordination of the mind and the body.

My client, pictured above, has been consistently taking lessons for 5 years on both the apparatus and the mat. She is so strong and has become stronger through her work in the Pilates method. It is such a testament to how the method builds upon itself and how it creates total mind and body coordination.