How to Do an Open Leg Rocker Pilates Exercise

"I'm going to be teaching you the flow and the execution of the "Open Leg Rocker" prep exercise. And we start with the legs mat distance apart. Firmly planted into the floor. Lifting the chest up off of the thighs, abdominals pulled in, legs lengthened out. Reach forward and grab the ankles, fold both feet in towards you, lifting the chest and pulling the abs away from the heels. Lean gently back on the back edge of your sit bones, keeping the shoulders down your back. And your abdominals lifted, just lifted. Reach your right leg straight up and release. Reach the left leg straight up and release. Now some people may not be able to straighten the leg, so, a slight bend is OK. And it?s for balance and abdominal strength. And to complete the exercise, we'd inhale both legs out and hold, lengthen, and hold, keep the chest lifted, and the abdominals pulled back. And then fold everything in. And that is the "Open Leg Rocker" prep."