Slings with Contemporary Pilates can be done because moving the whole body simply feels good; to enhance your movement poise or athletic agility; it can ease occupational imprints in your myofascial system; or serve as a tool for more physical, mental and emotional spaciousness and graciousness. All are valid, the choice is yours.Happy practice!

Warm wishes

For WhomSlings Myofascial Training with Contemporary Pilates is body-mind integration training for everyone aiming for structural balance and well-being through movement.Yes, dear Yogis and Yoginis, Feldenkrais practitioners, dancers, athletes, curious movement enthusiasts and body-work therapists, you are warmly invited to join.

For WhatThe overarching aims are physical balance, resilience and (self-) awareness through movement.Built on a foundation of dynamic stability, the exercise sequences shown are designed to optimize and maintain postural ease, multi-dimensional movement freedom, adaptability as well as clear body language and sensory consciousness.Every move has its unique benefi ts and at the same time fulfi ls a purpose within the sequence(s). As in life and in the body, everything is connected and each component is an integral part of the whole. The same applies for the sequencing. The exercises are specifi cally layered, like chords in a musicalcomposition.Each exercise has its own range of more or less obvious intricacies. The more you practise with awareness, the more layers you will peel; discovering the magic in the most simple movements and ease in the most challenging movements.Embodying the moves and sequences allows you to go deeper and refi ne your practice; creatingnew postural and movement patterns, all the while letting go of what doesn‘t serve you anymore.

DVD OverviewThis DVD comprises 6 self-contained sequences. Although the sequences are arranged in a purposefulorder, they can be re-arranged, expanded, practised individually or blended with your own creations.

Time FramesThe listed 'Practice time frame' is a guideline that varies with exercise intention, amount of repetitions, skill level, 'mood' of the day and movement embodiment.

Amount of RepetitionsThe listed amount of repetitions is a fl exible guideline that should be amended according to your training aims, skills and intention.

PropsA small ball is incorporated in some of the exercises. We recommend a soft massage ball or toning ball.

SLINGS MYOFASCIAL TRAINING & CONTEMPORARY PILATES

SEAMLESS FLOW & CONTRASTING MOTION

SEQUENCE 1: Centring in MovementSTANDING • WEIGHT BEARING • PRONE

DVD time frame: 16:30 minutesPractice time frame (approximate): 20 – 25 minutes

Centring: Body Spiral • AwarenessoftheDFL • 'Waking up' the local Centre (pelvic floor, transversus abdominis, mulifidi, diaphragm)

Preparing: All that’s coming

2 x Arm Arc & Circle • Gentleshouldermobilization

Preparing: Relevé with Arm Arc & Circle

2 x Relevé with Arm Arc & Circle • Balanceandcorestability • Movementcoordination

Preparing: Relevé & Plié with Arm Arc & Circle

2 x Relevé & Plié with Arm Arc & Circle • InterplayoftheSBLandtheSFL • Rhythmandmovementcoordination

Preparing: Balance Grand Plié

2 x Nodding with Butterfly Arms • Activelengtheningofdeepneckmuscles • Mobilizationofthecervicalandupperthoracicspine

Preparing: Roll Down

2 x Roll Down • UpwardcurrentofDFLandSFLaswellasdownwardflowofSBL • Lengthening,strengtheningandreleasingtheupperpartoftheSBL • Segmentalspinalmovement

Preparing:SmallWave&BigWave•RollingUp•RollDownV

Twice:1xRelevé&PliéwithArmArc&Circle•1xRollDown • InterplayofSBLandSFL • Combinationofcorestabilityandcorestrength(respectively)

Transition:1xRelevé&PliéwithArmArc&Circle•Keeparmsatshoulderheight

SideBend•5xArmFloat•3xArmPendulumRight & Left • LengtheningandstrengtheningtheLL • Movementdifferentiation • Appliedmovement-domino

Preparing:SmallWaves&BigWaves•RollDownV•90/90HipRelease&SideBend•DynamicMermaid&Spiral 1 x Roll Down & Forward Fold • Lengthening,strengtheningandreleasingtheSBL • Movementdifferentiation

Preparing:ForwardFold&FlatBack•DynamicSprinterStretch•StandingSplit

Transition:RollDown•ForwardFold•InvertedV•FrontSupport•BasicFrontSupport

MovingPushUpBuild up in stages: 5 x Lift & Lower, 5 x Shift, 5 x Moving Push Up • Corestabilityandmovementdifferentiation • Alternatingback,shoulderandarmstrength(respectively)

Complementing: Prone exercises

Transition:ReverseRest•Lyingprone

10 x Leg Lift & Spiralling • Corestability• Strengtheninghipextensorsandlengtheninghipflexors

Preparing:SmallWave&BigWavewithExtension•StandingSplit•FullMoonPose

Twice: 1 x Prone Triple Extension & 6 x Shoulder Spiral • MobilizingandopeningoftheFALs • Strengtheningdeepthoracicextensorsandrotators

Complementing: Spine fl exion exercises

Preparing:InvertedV•SmallWave&BasicUpwardStretch

Transition: Basic Front Support

6 x Small Wave with Shift Back • Segmentalspinalmovementandcorestabilitycombined • Movementcoordinationanddifferentiation

Complementing: Prone Triple Extension & Shoulder Spiral

Preparing: Small Wave with Extension

Transition:BasicFrontSupport•FrontSupport•InvertedV•ForwardFold•RollingUp

2 x Relevé V & Plié V with Arm Arc & Circle • InterplayofDFL,SBLandSFL • Balanceandcorestability

Complementing: Small Wave

2 x Roll Down V • StrongemphasisonDFLengagementandupwardcurrent • Balanceandcorestrength

Complementing: Relevé V & Plié V

Preparing: Single leg balance exercises

Transition: Open the heels to fi nish the sequence or close the feet to continue with the second sequence.

SEQUENCE 2: SynerChi Essential FlowSTANDING • WEIGHT BEARING

DVDtimeframe:9:40minutesPractice time frame (approximate): 15 – 20 minutes

SynerChi Essential Flow can be executed in various ways. The following version incorporates a blend of Small Wave and Big Wave. Progressing though the variations is optional.

Aims and benefits include (but are not limited to): • Mentalandphysicalcentring • Interplayofstability,strength,mobilityandelasticmovement • InterplayofDFL,SBL,SFL(includingBALsandFALs) • Movementrhythmandcoordination • Interplayofouterandinnerfocus

1xSynerChi:BuildUp

Relevé&ArmArc•BalanceGrandPlié&ArmCircle• LowPlié&Prayer•Crouching•ForwardFold (LegStretch)•PliéMelting•ForwardFold(LegStretch)•RollingUp

1xSynerChi:includingBasicUpwardStretch&SmallWavewithShiftBack

Relevé&BalanceGrandPlié•LowPlié&Prayer•Crouching•ForwardFold(LegStretch)•PliéMelting•Forward Fold(LegStretch)•Plié&FlatBack•InvertedV•1xBigWave£FrontSupport•BasicFrontSupport•BasicUp-wardStretch•5 x Small Wave with Shift Back•BasicFrontSupport•FrontSupport•InvertedV•DynamicKneeBend&Jump•Crouching•ForwardFold•RollingUp

1xSynerChi:includingBasicUpwardStretch&BigWavewithShiftBack

Relevé&BalanceGrandPlié•LowPlié&Prayer•Crouching•ForwardFold(LegStretch)•PliéMelting•Forward Fold(LegStretch)•Plié&FlatBack•InvertedV•1xBigWave•FrontSupport•BasicFrontSupport•BasicUpwardStretch•5 x Big Wave to Front Support to Basic Front Support to Shift Back to Inverted V•DynamicKneeBend&Jump•Crouching•ForwardFold•RollingUp

1xSynerChi:includingBasicUpwardStretch&BigWavewithPushBack

Relevé&BalanceGrandPlié•LowPlié&Prayer•Crouching•ForwardFold(LegStretch)•PliéMelting•Forward Fold(LegStretch)•Plié&FlatBack•InvertedV•1xBigWave•FrontSupport•BasicFrontSupport•Basic Upward Stretch • 5 x Big Wave to Front Support to Push Back to Inverted V • Dynamic Knee Bend & Jump Crouching•ForwardFold•RollingUp

Individual Components

Relevé & Balance Grand Plié • InterplayoftheDFL,SFLandSBL • Balanceandcorestability

Low Plié & PrayerWith eyes closed • Stillnesswithinchallenge • Focussinginwards

Crouching • SofteningoftheDFL,SFLandSBL • Calming

Forward Fold (Leg Stretch) • ActivelengtheningofthelowerportionoftheSBL • Unfolding

Plié Melting • GentlelengtheningandsofteningoftheupperportionoftheSBLandSFL(respectively) • Gentleopeningofthelumbararea

Forward Fold (Leg Stretch) • ActivelengtheningofthelowerportionoftheSBL • RelaxedlengtheningoftheupperportionoftheSBLandSFL • Decompressingthespine

Plié & Flat Back • EngagingtheupperportionoftheSBL • Centringthespine

InvertedV•FrontSupport•BasicFrontSupport • IncorporatingtheSBLandSFLaswellasfacilitatingtheBALsindifferentways • Stabilityindifferentweightbearingpositions

BasicUpwardStretch • ActivelengtheningoftheSFL • OpeningofpartsoftheDFL

Small Wave & Big Wave • DynamicinterplayoftheDFL,SFLandSBL • Dynamicsegmentalspinalflexionandextension • Activedynamicpelvicfloortraining • Upwardenergyflow

Inverted V • Unloadingpelvicfloor • EngagingBALsandopeningFALs

DynamicKneeBends&Jump • Rhythmic,elasticmovement • InterplayofSFLandSBL

Crouching • SofteningtheDFL,SFLandSBL • Folding

Forward Fold • LengtheningthelowerportionoftheSBL • Unfoldingthelegs

RollingUp • ElongatingtheDFL,SBLandSFL • Unfoldingtheupperbody

SEQUENCE 3: Slings Contrasting MotionSTANDING • KNEELING • WEIGHT BEARING

DVD time frame: 22:50 minutes

Practice time frame (approximate): 30 minutes

The following sequences comprise unilateral exercises that are linked and balanced with the symmetrical SynerChi Essential Flow

6xKneeLift&6xKneeFlick • InterplayofSBLandSFLaswellastheLL • Singlelegbalanceandcorestability • Sensingdifferencesinmovementinitiationandmuscularversusmyofascialfocus

Complementing:90/90Lunge

Transition:BalancingLegExtension•Aeroplane•90/90Lunge

3x90/90Lunge•3x90/90Lunge&Twist•3xLunge&OpenTwist•3x90/90Lunge • InterplayoftheSBL,SFLandSPLaswellastheDFL • Multidimensionalhipjointmovementinasplitstance

Complementing:KneeLift

Preparing:90/90HipRelease&SideBend•StandingSplit•FullMoonPose•InvertedVLegLift&Arabesque

5 Breaths Triangle Stretch Active • LengtheningandstrengtheningtheSBL • Posteriorhipandlegstretchandsofteningofhipflexors • Unloadingpelvicfloor

Complementing:90/90Lunge

Preparing: Dynamic Sprinter Stretch

10 x Dynamic Sprinter Stretch • InterplayoftheSBLandSFL • Rhythmicalmovementcoordination • Buoyant,elasticmovement

Preparing:DynamicSprinterintoStandingSplit•90/90HipStretch&SideBend

10 Breaths Triangle Stretch Melting • LengtheningandreleasingtheSBL • Unloadingthespine • Relaxedlengtheningandlettinggooftheupperbody

Complementing: Dynamic Sprinter Stretch

Transition:90/90KneelingForwardFold

6 x Shift Folded • Dynamicmobilizationofthefoot,ankleandknee • Rhythmical,elasticmovement

Transition:Dynamiclifttoupright90/90Kneeling 10x90/90SpirallingTwist • Strength,elasticityandglideinvariouspartsoftheSPL • StrengtheningtheBALsandmobilizingpartsoftheDFL • Glidebetweenabdominalmuscles • Counterrotationsofpelvisandthoracicspine/ribcage

Preparing: Lizard

10x90/90OpenTwist&ArmCircle • MobilizingpartsoftheDFL • Dynamicrotationoftheribcage,spineandpelvis(overfemur)

Complementing:90/90SpirallingTwist

Preparing:90/90HipRelease&SideBend

Transition:90/90GatePose

6x90/90HipRelease•2BreathsSideBend•8x90/90HipRelease&SideBend • InterplayofLLandDFLaswellasSBL(lowerportion) • Dynamicwholebodymobilization • Rhythmical,elasticmovement

Preparing:FullMoonPose•Lizard•SideSupport&HipStretchwithSideBend

5BreathsLateralAnglePoseKneeling • StrengtheningtheupperpartofoneLLandpartsoftheDFLinlength • Progressivemusclerelaxationbasedpelvicfloorandadductorwork

Complementing: Previous concentric adductor work

Preparing:FullMoonPose•Lizard

Transition:GentlebounceintoHighKneelingMedialRotation

TripleExtensioninHighKneelingMedialRotation • DynamiclengtheningandstrengtheningoftheSFLandDFLfromthekneesupwards • Glide,elasticityandvolumeinthemyofasciaeoftheupperbody(anterior)

Complementing:90/90HipRelease&SideBend•LateralAnglePoseKneeling•Previousspineandhipflexions

Preparing: Crescent Lunge

Transition: Legs parallel or adducted

SitBack&BounceUp • SofteningandrelaxingtheupperpartoftheSFL,elasticityandglideinandaroundthequadriceps • EngagingtheupperpartoftheSBL,lengtheningandsofteningthelowerportion • Rhythmical,springymovement

Complementing: Triple Extension

Preparing: Dynamic Sprinter into Standing Split

Transition:90/90KneelingForwardFold(facingforward)•TriangleStretchActive 10 x Dynamic Sprinter into Standing Split • DynamicinterplayoftheSBLandSFLincludingtheDFL • IsometricengagementoftheupperportionoftheSBL,elasticityinthelowerpart • Differentiatedmovementintegration • Rhythmical,light-footedmovementcombiningelasticity,strengthandlength

2-4BreathsStandingSplitActive • SteadyengagementofoneSBLoneside • Heldposefollowingadynamic,rhythmicalmovement • Balancechallengeinthesagittalplane

Complementing: Dynamic Sprinter into Standing Split

8BreathsFullMoonPose • SteadyengagementoftheLL • Balancechallengeinthefrontalplane

Complementing: Standing Split

2-4BreathsStandingSplitMelting • Contrasting'use' of the SBL (strengthening, stretching, releasing with gravity) • Meltingintoachallenging(formostofus)pose

Complementing: Full Moon Pose

4BreathsForwardFoldMelting • LengtheningoftheSBL • Softmeltingfollowingthebalancechallenge

Complement: Standing Split Melting

Preparing:Lizard•SideSupport&HipStretch

Transition:RollingUp

1 x SynerChi Essential Flow: with Big Wave & Push Back • Gentlemobilizationofthespine • Findingbalancewithinasymmetry

CHANGE SIDE Repeat the sequence on the other side

CONCLUDE Finish SynerChi in Reverse Rest

SEQUENCE 4: Stretches with a TwistFRONT & SIDE WEIGHT BEARING • STANDING

DVDtimeframe:9:15minutes

Practice time frame (approximate): 12 – 15 minutes

The following sequence comprises unilateral exercises that are complemented and balanced by the Small Wave.

2 Breaths Inverted V • LengtheningthelowerpartoftheSBLandstrengtheningBALs • Lengthening,softeningandnourishingtheDFL

Preparing: Inverted V Leg Lift & Arabesque

6xInvertedVLegLift&4BreathsArabesque • InterplayoftheSBL,SFLandDFLincludingtheSPLinArabesque • Weightbearinginthesagittalplanewithminimalloadonthelumbarspineandpelvicfloor

Complementing: Stretches to come

Transition: Low Lunge

1xLongLunge&ArmCircle•1xCrescentLunge•1xLongLunge • StrengtheningSBL,activelylengtheningSFL,strengtheningSBLwithsofteningofSFL(respectively) • Lengtheninghipextensorsandstrengtheningquadricepsofthefrontleg

Complementing: Inverted V Leg Lift

Transition: Low Lunge with hands or forearms on the floor

4BreathsLizard-4BreathsLizardTwisted • InterplayofDFL,SBLandSPLaswellasBALs • Deep,activehipstretch

Complementing: Inverted V Leg Lift

Preparing: Side Support & Hip Stretch

Transition: Low Lunge with the opposite hand near the inside of the front foot

2BreathsSideSupport&HipStretch•8xSideSupport&HipStretchwithSideBend • StrengtheningandlengtheningtheLL • StrengtheningtheBALs • Dynamic,deephipstretch

Complementing: Inverted V Arabesque

Preparing: Z-Sit

Transition:InvertedVLegLift•InvertedV•BigWave•BasicFrontSupport

Small Wave with Shift Back • Symmetricalmobilizationofthespineandhipjoints • Findingasenseofbalancewithinasymmetry

CHANGE SIDE Repeat the sequence on the other side

CONCLUDEFinish in Reverse Rest

SEQUENCE 5: Gentle DynamicsSITTING • SUPINE

DVDtimeframe:8:15minutes

Practice time frame (approximate): 15 minutes

Reverse Rest • Calming

Transition:LowKneeling•CleopatraSit•Z-Sit

Dynamic Mermaid & Spiral • ActivelengtheningandstrengtheningaswellasglideandelasticityintheLL • SofteningandgentlemobilizationoftheDFL • Multidimensionalmobilizationoftheribcageandspine

Complementing: Lizard Twisted

Preparing: Living Pose

Transition: Round Back in Z-Sit - Side Leg Lift in Z-Sit - Tailor‘s Sit

Round Back in Tailor's Sit • GentleengagementoftheSFLandopeningoftheSBL(trunkportions) • Symmetricalspinalmobilization

Complementing: Dynamic Mermaid & Spiral

Transition: Z-Sit on the other side

CHANGE SIDE Repeat the short sequence on the other side

Transition: Basic Rolling Down

Rest Position • Relaxation

SEQUENCE 6: Absorption & Waking UpSUPINE • SITTING

DVD time frame: 7:30 minutes

Practice time frame (approximate): 10 minutes

Living Pose • Lettingthebodyabsorballthathasbeendoneandundone • Bringingcalmtotheinnerseaoffascia • Goingwithinwithpresence

Complementing: Everything that has been done

Preparing: For what may come

Transition:MorningStretch•SupineRest

Rolling Like a Ball • Wakingupthebody • Massagingtheback

Preparing: You are prepared!

Transition: Tailor's Sit

2xSpirallingTwist•1xExtension•1xRoundBack • Finalwakingandgentleopeningup