Can you suggest an alternative for students who really struggle with rollovers on the mat? Occasionally I have students that are quite fit in most other ways, but because of a larger lower body to upper body ratio they struggle with this, and it may not really be available to them. I have not really seen anything effective for this, and if they are "stuck" at this point, I would at least like to give them an alternative. Thanks! Lynn

There are a couple of modifications you can do. The prep rollover is the hip lift. Have the client bring their legs to tabletop - they can cross at the ankles, place their hands under the butt, then have the lift their hips off the mat trying to control the movement with their lower abs. You can also place a BOSU or barrel under their hips so the hips are already off the mat. Their shoulder and mid-back is on the mat. They should be able to roll over.

put an arc barrel or bolster under their hips so its less far to get up. it helps a lot.

All great suggestions......also, if possible, go over to the client and assist them! I like the idea of legs in table top/ankles crossed----or legs straight in 90 degrees if they can get there. Encourage the lift of the pelvis and not the hip fold or drop of legs to chest. To get the lower abdomen strength, assist the student by holding their ankles and getting them to lift the pelvis----with you holding their andles, you can control whether or not they want to default and hip fold. It's a great way to assist and empower the client to initiate correctly and perform the full exercise correctly also. Good Luck!

Sometimes the roll over is just scarry! I had the hardest time FOREVER just because I was scarred. I'm sort of retarted in a lot of pilates excercises...my instructor is like, "let go of the footbar...just let go!!!" and once I finally do, I'm shocked that I can do the excercise. She had to do this with me on the rollover too...I was just plain scarred, but now it's a cinch!

Place a small ball (6"diameter) under the sacrum - places the pelvis in a tilted position, and overcomes the counter-pull of tight hamstrings

The roll over has to be the one move so many students struggle with! This week we had a small celebration in my studio as two of my long term students completed roll ups with perfect technique, they were so pleased and we were all clapping! One lady has been with me over two years!!! I also find the shoulder bridge can be a nice prep move for the roll up as it does tend to be the articulation of the lumber spine which can be the problem here. Once done correctly I think it can be such a lovely move and even "relaxing" Once students carry out the move with perfection I just love introducing The neck pull! They usually just look in horror!!!! But dont we all love a challange :) I am based in the UK but planning on a trip to New York in the next year to visit some studios and find the real core of Pilates x

I like to do roll over preps with my newer clients on the arc barrel. It puts them in a very safe position for the spine and they have the handles on the sides of the arc ( or cut outs) to hold on. This makes them feel safe, and they roll over with ease. Its a good place to start! Jamie