Quickie Pilates Flow

Today's quickie Pilates flow is just about 5 minutes short! Filmed in my backyard on a slighty rainy morning, follow along for a short but sweet mini-workout.

After my favorite arm flow with breathing warm up, I take you through 5 exercises:

• half roll-backs in center (with rounded spine)
• half roll-backs with a twist
• quarter roll-ups in center (pre-curser to a full roll-up)
• quarter roll-up with a twist
• modified criss-cross

If you'd like a longer warm-up or optional cool-down, check out my first Pilates on the Porch flow. This will add about 6 minutes of warm-up stretching/cool-down stretching to your quickie workout.

Why bother with just 5 minutes of a "workout"? I'll tell you! At least in my opinion -

First, anyone can benefit from squeezing in 5 minutes (or 5 more minutes) of focused core conditioning.

Second, if you're a Mom, especially of smaller kiddos or babies, they take up ALOT of your time and attention. You may have the desire to do a full hour class or 3o minute workout at home, but chances are you'll get interrupted.

Unless your babies are the kind that nap well and then continue to nap well and at the same time as older siblings, in which case, you might be lucky enough to get that longer workout time in.

But for all the Moms that have just a few minutes, these quickie workouts are for you! Five minutes today, five minutes tomorrow, five minutes the next time you can find, will all start to add up to a stronger core over time.

Third, I don't want to spend so much of my time working out. I love chasing a fit lifestyle, I love doing things that help my body be healthier. But there are so many hats to wear as a wife, mom, homeschooling mom, dance teacher, fitness instructor, oh and don't forget meal planner, chef, house cleaner, and taxi driver (I haven't personally experienced being the Mom taxi yet, but I know the day is coming)!

Although I often find time to get a 10 or 20 minute workout done, for the times that I don't, five minutes is better than no minutes