Hi Tamlyn,
So sorry to hear all of this, it is not what we want for you to experience, some modifications are definitely needed to make the work support you. Ideally you should find a teacher who can see to help check out your technique. Some suggestions : when raising and lowering both legs try keeping them very bent and close to your bottom, and making sure you are taking the work in your stomach, not your back. If you feel you are straining then stay safe by lifting one leg at a time. By he way, Are you an archy type? have a big bottom? or do you have a flat back and perhaps very little bottom? These are clues to how your muscles may respond to the exercise. You can prop yourself up on your elbows for single leg circles, that could work. Let me know the answer to the questions above - and I will see what to suggest .Hope this helps and you find some classes that work for you.

Thank you for such a great experience, I have taken so much on board with this and know my class will benefit from it intensely.
Regards
Sharon from Australia

Niedra I think you must be one of my most favourite instructors, yes some of us may have parts protesting but that is our bodies protesting, being made to used muscle properly is always a challenge and yes at times it hurts, but I love that after a while it doesn't and I feel so great because I have taken the next step, thank you.
Sharon from Australia

HI Sharon, you "Young Australia" that is how you described yourself in your bio. So glad you and your group are working through the retraining stages - always a challenge to get through. You make me feel very international...

I love that Pilates Anytime can put in touch with such brilliant teachers as yourself, I must check my bio, I live in a country town called Young in NSW Australia, I have completed my mat training and am about to do my reformer, I love the tradition form of Pilates, as a result your beginner classes have done more for me then my original training, and also my clients are seeing the benefit, so thank you from a very isolated Pilates instructor in rural NSW Australia.
I wish I could do my reformer training with you, but as I can not I will continue to do all your classes on Pilates Anytime.

Regards
Sharon

Hi Sharon, thank you for your warmth and I am very happy you are getting benefits from this. I am a teacher trainer and sometimes travel to deliver trainings so if this is something you wanted to explore ( who knows how life unfolds) you can always reach me directly at niedra@spirit-moves.com.
it is always a creative project, but who knows? magic can happen. and if not - where you do your training and whatever the road you are on - is always the absolute best one for you so trust always.

been having back issues and needed to start back at the basics to rid any bad habits

Thank you Niedra, starting Pilates after cancer all well now And going to do all your classes on my ipad here in Bordeaux, France, loved your detailed explanations, but sometimes not sûre when to breath!! Will be doing séries numbers # 2 tomorrow merci Candida

Hello Candida, wonderful on your return to health, keep on going. I do not focus on breathing with beginners as there is so much to master, too many things to think about is over whelming. as the alignment can be challenging it is quite common to strain and perhaps hold the breath BUT "no one has ever fainted or died in a Pilates class for lack of breathing" ( Quote from my teacher Romana) and usually beginners, if choosing between focusing on breathing or holding the stomach muscles correctly will breath versus learn to use their stomach, so they will NOT get the basics. So breath you will! and get the alignment down and it will become much easier to breath in a simple manner.
Best of luck to you.

Hello Candida, wonderful on your return to health, keep on going. I do not focus on breathing with beginners as there is so much to master, too many things to think about is over whelming. as the alignment can be challenging it is quite common to strain and perhaps hold the breath BUT "no one has ever fainted or died in a Pilates class for lack of breathing" ( Quote from my teacher Romana) and usually beginners, if choosing between focusing on breathing or holding the stomach muscles correctly will breath versus learn to use their stomach, so they will NOT get the basics. So breath you will! and get the alignment down and it will become much easier to breath in a simple manner.
Best of luck to you.