12/07/2026
The Roll Up is one of the most recognised Pilates exercises… but it’s also one of the most misunderstood.
Many people think the goal is simply to sit up.
It isn’t.
The real challenge is learning to articulate your spine—slowly peeling one vertebra off the mat, then placing each one back down with control.
That takes time.
This video shows where I am with this exercise today, after years of practice. It definitely didn’t look like this when I first started, and I don’t expect it to look like this for my clients either.
In fact, one of my favourite ways to begin learning the Roll Up is with:
• slightly bent knees
• a light hand weight for counterbalance or a FlexBand around your feet to help you move slowly and with control, making it easier to feel each vertebrae peel off the mat and return one at a time.
These simple modifications make it much easier to find control, slow the movement down, and truly feel each segment of the spine moving.
The goal isn’t to achieve the “perfect” Roll Up.
The goal is to move well, understand your body, and gradually build the strength and awareness that make the movement possible.
That’s the beauty of Pilates—there’s always another layer to discover.
✨ If you’d like to start your Pilates journey or deepen your practice, I’d love to have you in class.
📍Bhav Yoga Studio, Cronulla
🗓 Tuesdays and Thursdays • 7:30am & 11:00am
🎟 Your first class is complimentary. Link in Bio.