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My Love Letter to the Pilates Magic Circle

Pilates Studio with Gratz Equipment at ATwill Pilates

Hello Everyone, 

I am Colleen Ferguson, owner of, and instructor at Atwill Pilates, in beautiful Santa Barbara, California.  

At Atwill, I am blessed to be surrounded by many talented Classical Pilates instructors, very engaged and curious clients, and a few Gratz Pilates team members whom I work with whenever they are in Santa Barbara. 

In celebration of the Magic Circle as Gratz’ Apparatus of the Month, the team at Gratz asked if I could share some thoughts on the Magic Circle. So, I thought I’d share a little bit about why I have BIG LOVE for this little circle.  

Why I Love the Magic Circle 

It is not an exaggeration to say, I love the Magic Circle.  

But what I love even more is how it helps my clients connect their mind and body, get organized, and focus. I love how it complements every exercise, on every apparatus. 

I had a client say to me once “Can everything in Classical Pilates be summarized by the short sentence – In & Up!?” At first, I laughed, and then I thought - well yeah, exactly.  

In & Up, a Basic Principle 

In a nutshell, In & Up seems like one of the most basic principles we’re striving for. And the Magic Circle is a key gateway to understanding the true transformative magic of the In & Up 

Whether it’s between the ankles, the inner thighs, or the hands, regardless of apparatus you’re on, hugging the Magic Circle is one of the best ways to find how the limbs connect very deeply to working the In & Up from the powerhouse.  

The more you squeeze the more In & Up you get. That resistance is mind and body changing. It’s the first piece of Gratz Pilates equipment I think everyone should have at home since it’s so effective and takes up so little space.  

My Magic Circle “Top Shelf” exercises 

While the Magic Circle can spice up exercises on nearly every apparatus, I particularly like using it on the Reformer and Mat. These are some of my favorite ways to incorporate the Magic Circle, the ones I go to first and use most often for myself and my clients who are ready for this addition. 

Pilates Reformer + Magic Circle

On the Gratz Pilates Reformer, I love using the Magic Circle with the Short Box.

  • Coordination

    I love the Magic Circle for Coordination on the Reformer. Place it between the ankles to deepen the abs focus when legs are extended and squeeze the Magic Circle.

  • Hug

    Place the pad of the Magic Circle just below the chest, with palms stacked and the heel of the hands pressing on the other pad of the circle. The Magic Circle will be like a hoop just below your chest. Press on the Magic Circle to deepen your C-curve when rolling back and assist curling when coming up.

  • Flat Back

    Place hands inside the Magic Circle, palms pressing out, with arms raised to the ceiling.

  • Side to Side

    Place palms outside the Magic Circle. Squeeze into the circle when coming back to center, especially with the hand leaning outwards.

  • Twist & Reach

    Place hands inside the Magic Circle, palms pressing out for the twist and reach.

  • Tree

    Place the Magic Circle on the ball of the foot for an extra stretch and stability when climbing the tree.

  • Long Spine

    I love using the Magic Circle for Long Spine! Hold the Magic Circle between your ankles. It is your friend and helps you lift the hips higher with more ease. It also really helps track the midline when rolling down.

In addition to working with the Magic Circle and the Short Box, two of my favorite exercises to include the Magic Circle on the Reformer are the

  • Pull Straps

    Place the Magic Circle between the ankles to help engage the legs when extending forward.

  • Stomach Massage

    Place the Magic Circle between palms with arms outstretched above the foot bar (45 degrees). By using the Magic Circle on the reach, it helps find and activate the powerhouse to lift and pull the carriage in.

 

Pilates Mat + Magic Circle

There are endless ways to use the Magic Circle on the Mat, but some of my favorites are Leg Circles, Open Leg Rocker, Neck Pull, and Leg Kick Series.

  • Leg Circles

    Place the Magic Circle underneath the ankle of the leg on the mat (vertically – leg extended through the circle). This helps to engage the back of the standing leg and realize the important role the standing leg plays in stabilizing the hips.

  • Open Leg Rocker

    On the Mat, I find the Magic Circle useful for helping improve Open Leg Rocker. Placed between the ankles, it adds feedback that helps bring awareness to the center line, as well as focus to the hug and lift at the top.

  • Neck Pull

    Place hands inside the Magic Circle, palms pressing while the other pad is behind the head to align the neck. The Magic Circle can also be used between the arch of the feet for inner thigh work while rolling back.

  • Leg Kick Series (variation)

    Place the Magic Circle at the hamstring/glute connection/smile line. Lift the knee off the Mat and press on the circle to find maximum work in the glute-hamstring area.

Pure Magic of the Pilates Accessory

I truly love the Magic Circle. I’m in awe of how one little circle can give such a complete full-body workout . It’s pure MAGIC!


 

Backside of Colleen Ferguson

About Colleen Ferguson - Owner of Atwill Pilates


Colleen Ferguson had her first exposure to Pilates while studying classical ballet growing up in Simsbury, CT. The change she experienced through a regular Pilates practice brought a new level of stability and strength not only to her dancing but to all her athletic endeavors. This transformation sparked her interest in Pilates as a profession. After graduating from Westmont College in Santa Barbara she spent a year traveling and living in South America where she studied ballet at Julio Bocca and earned a living teaching private clients while residing in Buenos Aires. Upon her return to Santa Barbara she completed the BASI comprehensive certification in 2009 and started working at La Playa Pilates. 

Colleen went on to get the esteemed Romana Pilates classical certification, traveling between LA and NYC for a year. Colleen is also extremely active in the international wellness community; after training a private client in France for six months she and travel blogger Georgia Hopkins co-founded the wellness pop up series, "it's healthy here," through which Colleen has trained clients in pop-up locations around the world including Berlin, Portugal, Cote Basque and numerous locations along Australia's eastern coast. Colleen has also been invited to guest teach at the Maderas Village in Nicaragua and Aro Ha wellness retreat in New Zealand. She now has a wellness retreat business called Beautiful Nomad which hosts retreats around the world. Her love for travel, surfing, hiking, dance, cooking and yoga along with her diverse Pilates background complements her integrative approach to health and well-being. 

 

Pilates Studio with Gratz Wunda Chair as the feature in a brightly lit room

About Atwill Pilates 

Atwill Pilates is Santa Barbara’s renowned Classical Pilates studio. We are a team of passionate teachers committed to the original work of Joseph Pilates. We offer outstanding personalized instruction and small group classes taught by our Classically certified trainers to help you heal and transform your body to its ultimate potential. Our sessions are tailored to each client's need to offer targeted results. 

Our studio is affiliated with Romana's Pilates in NYC. Romana Kryzanowska was Joseph H. Pilates protege and the “heir” to passing on the original work of Joseph Pilates. Our studio is equipped with all Gratz Pilates apparatus for the finest equipment designed to change your body the fastest. 

 

 

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