facebook google-plus linked-in twitter youtube Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram
machines matwork small-equipment

exercise of the month

Diamond Raise

October 2019

Aim

To strengthen the scapula stabilising muscles of the mid-back in order to improve posture and prevent round shoulders

Starting Position

Lie prone with the legs straight and the feet hip distance apart.  The elbows are bent and the hands are placed one on top of the other on the floor.   The forehead is resting on top of the hands.  The chin is tucked in.

Action

Inhale - To prepare

Exhale - Engage the core abdominals and slide the scapula down the back.  Raise the head off the floor, pushing the back of the skull upwards to the ceiling but keep the eyes looking down (i.e. chin tucked in). Try to think of energy lines in the body.  The elbows push out East and West (but the hands do not move).  The scapula slide south and the head reaches north so the back of the neck is long.   This is a difficult exercise to get right and usually depends upon the correct height and alignment of the head and chest off the floor

Inhale – To return the body back to the floor again

Target Muscles

Back extensors, lower and mid trapezius, neck extensors, posterior deltoid

Watchpoints

Ensure the scapula stabilising muscles are working hard to ensure that the shoulders stay away from the ears

Try to “play around” with this exercise until a sensation is felt around the shoulder blades.  There are several factors to play with. 

1) The height of the head and chest off the floor

2) The alignment of the head (i.e. not pushed backwards too far resulting in the back of the neck shortening; nor forwards too far resulting in too much chin tuck). Maintain the alignment of the cervical spine with the thoracic spine.  Experiment by moving the head in order to find the correct position

3) The amount of weight pushing through the forearms.  Too much weight pushing through the arms results in less work being done by the back muscles therefore relying on the arms to push to body upwards. Experiment with all these 3 factors until a strong sensation is felt around the shoulder blades

Contra Indictions

Variation One (Progression)

Exhale to raise the head as before but keep the hands attached to the forehead.  Therefore the head, arms and hands lift off the floor together.  Inhale to lower.

Contra-Indications

This exercise may be unsuitable for certain neck and back problems if discomfort is felt whilst performing the repetitions.

Share this exercise

July 2022

A lovely exercise for spinal articulation to open the back of the body and assist in coordination

View exercise >

Post a classified advert

Members of Pilates Union can list classified adverts.

Post an advert