Cat stretch and Chicken wings

The secret to teaching backbends in group Reformer

Two short teaching extracts with Heath Lander. Watch how Cat stretch opens the enquiry, then how Chicken wings connects the shoulders, spine and hips.

1. Cat stretch before adding load

53 seconds

Heath explains what Cat stretch lets him observe before adding load, with the shoulders and hips in a comfortable mid-range position.

2. Chicken wings: shoulders, spine and hips

92 seconds

Follow the enquiry from the shoulders and spine into high kneeling, where the hips become part of the movement.

Continue the enquiry in HLP Projects

The next five-week Project starts Monday 9 November 2026.

Opening lectures: Monday 9 November at 19:00 GMT and Wednesday 11 November at 08:00 GMT.

Q&A: Tuesdays at 19:00 GMT during the cycle.

For qualified Pilates instructors and instructors in training. No previous HLP training is required. Projects includes shared Project workshops and content, Community discussion and full HLP Online Studio access. Practitioner-only sessions are separate.

£65 per month

Minimum commitment: one month, one payment cycle.

Your subscription renews automatically each calendar month. Join at any time; current-cycle recordings are available while both the cycle and your subscription remain current.

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