The Pilates Hundred

Ah, the Pilates Hundred—an exercise that has a knack for eliciting a range of emotions, from sheer determination to utter frustration. As someone who has experienced the full spectrum of feelings toward the Pilates Hundred let me tell you that it IS worth all the feels.

It is the first of 34 exercises in the original matwork repertoire outlined in "Return to Life" by Joseph Pilates. It gets us warmed up, breathing calmly while moving (I promise eventually you will feel this way), and teaches us how to lift the legs off the floor.

Performing the Pilates Hundred requires a blend of precision, control, and a touch of perseverance. Begin by lying on your back with your arms by your sides, palms facing down, and BREATHE! As you exhale, reach the arms and legs, activate the core reflex, unweight the legs, curl the head, neck, and shoulders off the mat and float the legs up. Maintain this "hollow hold"position as you begin to pump your arms up and down with vigor in a smooth and controlled manner. Continue pumping your arms as you inhale for 5 and exhale for 5...all the way to a hundred. Or hundredish!

It's not about sculpting the perfect beach body or achieving Instagram-worthy abs. It's about embracing the journey, imperfections and all, and finding joy in the process. So, here's to the Pilates Hundred—the exercise we love to hate, the challenge that keeps us coming back for more, and the source of countless laughs and frustration along the way.

Two way stretch, unweight the legs, breathe.