The Hundred

The exercise “The Hundred” is the first exercise in the original Pilates mat work order.

It’s designed to get your heart rate up, your circulation system switched on, develop your breath mechanics, and take inventory of which of your body parts are connecting well to the center of your body - and which body parts are… err, sleeping on the job.

Here are a few PRO TIPS to help get the most out of this warm-up exercise:

🎈Breathe deeply, 3-Dimensionally and AS NEEDED.

⚖️ SUPPORT the parts of your body that feel too heavy to hold from your center.

🔪Try each exercise with PRECISION for a few rounds

🧐 Then give yourself PERMISSION TO MOVE with flow, freedom, and curiosity.

The Hundred:

• LIFT head and shoulder blades 👤

• BEND spine at lowest ribs more than neck — Like your torso is a BICEP and your head is the fist! 💪🏽

• PUMP your arms to the beat of your favorite pop song 🎵

• Inhale EXPAND lungs — Like internal BUTTERFLY WINGS! 🦋

• Exhale NARROW waistline — Like you’re wearing a CINCHED BELT!🥋

• UNITE the legs at your point of control — Like the tail of a DRAGON! 🐉

• EMPTY the lungs completely and “out za breath!” as Mr. Pilates instructed 🔥