Side Kick Series – Single Leg Stir

Equipment:

Mat

Prop:

None

Difficulty (1-5):

3

Repetitions:

8 (each)

Main Body Position:

Lateral Recumbent

Spine Position:

Neutral

Part of Series?

Yes

Start Position 🏁

  • Lie on one side, close to and parallel with back edge of mat
  • Stack legs and hips
  • Point or flex feet
  • Angle legs forward so toes are in middle of mat
  • Bend elbow of lower arm and rest head on same hand
  • Place hand of upper arm on mat in front of sternum, parallel with torso
  • Push into lower elbow, hand of upper arm and bottom leg to lift rib cage off mat
  • Lift top leg to hip height

Cues 💡

  • Lift bottom leg to top leg
  • Make small circles with bottom leg
  • Thigh of bottom leg brushes thigh of top leg with each circle
  • Should feel top oblique abdominal firing
  • Maintain stacked hips. Watch tendency for top hip to move backwards.
  • Constantly pull top hip away from rib cage. Watch tendency for compression of upper torso.
  • After 8 circles, switch direction
  • Switch sides

Breathing 🫁

  • Inhale (nose) for 4 circles
  • Exhale (mouth) for 4 circles

Modifications 🔧

  • Stretch lower arm out and rest head on bicep
  • Rest head on cushion with lower arm moved out of the way
  • Allow rib cage to rest on mat rather than lifting it off mat