Month: August 2026

Ladder Barrel encourages both spinal stability and spinal mobility

by lebureauetc, posted in Pilates, Uncategorized

I have worked very hard over the years to build strength and more stability as by nature I am hyper-mobile.  in my 47 years – I have broken my back, leg, arm, and neck…. I do not plan on any more broken bones and I feel very grateful to still be capable to move the way I do.  As you may have guessed, I love to move as it makes me feel so free.

Too much stability can cause stiffness and tightness..and yes too much mobility can overstretch our ligaments, muscles, and joints causing strain.  Both overdone could lead to compensation issues and imbalance.

In pilates method the goal is always to find balance.  how can we both strengthen and mobilize  our bodies to optimize our posture and feel our best day-to-day?

The ladder barrel is extra special in my opinion as it offers a firm, supportive curved surface that encourages spinal articulation in extension, flexion, and side bending to both strengthen and and create more space in all our sides – front/back/side body.

in this clip I am highlighting spinal articulating with some inversions.  The support of the ladder barrel allows me to shine bright like the sun as I feel strong from the support of the barrel that allows me to radiate out through my whole body.

check this ladder barrel workout on my Youtube

Neck Isometrics Routine for Better Posture

by lebureauetc, posted in Uncategorized

For years I wore my head forward of my heart center and even my heart center forward of my pelvic center. This lack of body awareness affected not only my physical body but also showed up in my choices and actions I took.

In 2017 I suffered a disk herniation that led to a disk replacement between C6/C7. It was a pain in the neck for sure!

Fortunately, this experience taught me the value of posture and the need for me to strengthen my neck!

So here is a simple routine I practice. It helps!

Before practicing neck isometrics it’s important to establish your center. Take time to align the center of your skull over the center of your heart/rib cage, over the center of your pelvic floor. Also, hold your heard up in its neutral position.

Wishing you all healthy necks and a string connection between your head and your heart.

Check out the practice in real time on my youtube –

Pilates leg stretches using the ladder barrel

by lebureauetc, posted in Pilates

Don’t be fooled! These are not just for your legs! These stretches are for your whole body!

In this short demo, I first demonstrate taking time to open up my back body, I transition to my side body, and end with opening my front body.

Like everything in the Pilates method, it is essential to ‘stand in your body’ already witnessing ALL your sides.

Take time to honor your own complexity and yes, asymmetry! We are not linear.

Also, for many of us, just standing can be enough of a stretch. It’s not always necessary to move much at all…listen to your body and breathe deeply in the places that feel stuck and stagnant. Also, be sure to ground yourself first, otherwise it will be very challenging to lift yourself up.:)

Please check out this video in real time on my YouTube channel