Sometimes doing the same exercises day in, day out can seem a little tedious so it’s a good idea to add in some new moves when you can to keep things interesting. Doing exercises that engage the mind and imagination along with the body can help to keep you motivated and give your brain a workout, too!

Here’s a list of a few fun pilates moves we guarantee will bring more playful energy into your workouts.

The Seal

This back & core strengthening pose helps with control and balance and is a nice massage for the spine. Living up to its moniker, the pose is finished by playfully slapping the soles of the feet together- for no other reason other than it’s just fun!

How to do it:

Start seated and bring the soles of your feet together. Keeping your knees apart, bring your arms between your legs, wrap your hands under your shins and hold onto your shins.

Gently lean back until you come to hover on your sit bones. Now, with a big smile on your face, roll back and forward again to balance once more on your sit bones, finish by clapping your feet together three times like a seal! Repeat.

Boomerang

The boomerang is another great pose for core strength, but requires a little more concentration which is great for improving coordination. Try it out if you’re looking for a pose to create long, strong muscles or want a challenge!

How to do it:

Start by sitting up tall with your legs out long in front of you. Cross one leg over the other.

Roll backwards and using the momentum, bring your legs up and over your head. Cross your legs the other way and roll back to sitting. Bring your nose towards your knees and send your arms back behind you. Pulse three times and release.

Mermaid

This restorative stretch is great to do as a warm-up or towards the end of your workout. Imagine yourself sitting on a rock like Ariel, soaking up the sun and letting your arms move gracefully from side to side. It’s a good stretch for the side body and hips, too!

How to do it

Sit up tall with your legs folded- your right shin should be in line with the long edge of the mat and your left in line with the short edge of the mat (your legs should form a kind of triangle).

Bring your right forearm down to the ground and rainbow your left arm over. Next swing your arms over to the left, rainbowing your right arm over your head.

Repeat a few times then swap sides (your left leg will be in line with the long edge of the mat).

Swings

Swings are great to add in at the end of a workout or can be done at any time throughout the day to shake a few things loose. The trick to this exercise is using your breath to guide your movement. Inhale to stretch and stand up tall, exhale to create forward momentum and release.

How to do it:

Stand up tall with your feet grounded and hands pointed up to the sky. Take a deep breath and bring your arms down in front of you. Bend your knees generously and exhale as you swing your arms back behind you and let your head drop towards the ground. Stand back up tall and bring your hands up to the sky. Repeat.

Happy Cat & Angry Cat

Old favourite happy cat/angry cat is a perfect warm up for the spine and core, and can be done in between work or other tasks as a mini-stretch to reset. Pro tip- for added fun make some cat noises as you move through the pose, we’re here to have fun right?!

How to do it:

Start on your hands and knees with your hands directly under your shoulders, knees under your hips and legs no more than hip distance apart.

To be the angry cat (😾), look towards your knees and arch your back, sending the line of your bra strap (or imaginary bra) towards the sky. To be the happy cat (😸), curve your tummy towards the mat and look up to the sky (if you have stiff hips or pelvis, try wiggling them here to give them a little extra love- should we call this wagging cat?!)