Wall Pilates is a TikTok trend I heard about in my news feed (I’m not even on TikTok?!). Normally I would be instantly averse to anything that comes to me via ‘recent trends’, but I confess I have been interested in trying Pilates for a while now, and I thought this version might be easier. Pilates, like Yin Yoga and Tai Chi, requires you to exercise slowly while concentrating on your posture. From what I can see, it is about slow but precise movements; a perfect form of mindfulness.
In order to give Wall Pilates a fair go, I attempted several YouTube videos, and I have to confess; this form of exercise is (mostly) not for me.
Firstly, you’re putting your feet on your wall. No matter how clean your tootsies are, there is a risk that you’ll mark the wall paint with your feet. If, on the other hand, you wear socks, you risk your feet slipping during a posture and potentially hurting yourself. To get around the dilemma I went a bit rogue and began practicing ‘Door Pilates’. In my home the doors are painted with a high gloss enamel paint, so they’re much easier to wipe down after the practice than the matt paint walls.
The second issue I had with Wall Pilates is that pretty much every video I saw repeats a ‘bridge’ posture: you lie on your back, feet on wall, knees bent, then lift your hips up off the floor, curving your spine. It’s a move that’s very hard when you have weak core muscles after months of chronic illness, but worse, it seems to place a huge amount of pressure on your shoulders (and very close to where your spine meets your skull). It’s also the exact location where I get serious pain during migraine attacks, and, the exact location that you can do irreparable damage to yourself if you move incorrectly.
One of the biggest risks of self-help when done all alone, is that you potentially end up doing things wrong and cause more harm than good. This is definitely one of those therapies that I would be very cautious of experimenting with at home alone; you should probably check with your doctor before proceeding to confirm that the returns are worth the risks.
Conclusion: it’s not easy, and without a teacher nearby, I’m not sure that I had correct alignment and was getting the proposed benefits.
On the positive side: I’ve attached a couple of links below for Wall Pilates done STANDING. These routines felt safer and more achievable (and you still get to participate in the trend!) I enjoyed these routines and returned to them. (Don’t be put off by the ‘for seniors’ label. I’m only in my early 50s but self-aware enough to know that after being sick for so long, my strength, stamina, flexibility and balance all qualify for ‘a senior moment’):
(5 mins) 5 Min Full Body WALL PILATES for Seniors (youtube.com)
(15 mins) Standing Wall Pilates Workout for Beginners (youtube.com)
These ones were mostly achievable (I just avoided the bent-back-bridge postures so I didn’t put any pressure on my neck):
(18 mins) Wall Pilates Workout for Beginners & Seniors // Full Body Flexibility & Firming (youtube.com)
(20 mins) 20 Min Ultimate Beginner Pilates Wall Workout | No Equipment – YouTube
(35 mins) Wall Pilates for Beginners & Seniors // 30 Minute Full Body Workout! (youtube.com)
Curious to know if anyone else has achieved any success through Pilates; normal, wall or door style!
Take care, Linda.
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