Repertoire

The Movement Repertoire

A growing catalogue of exercises for the Pilateras reformer, tower reformer, PiWall and studio apparatus — with the muscles each one works, what it gives you, and how demanding it is.

Equipment

All PiWall 27

Difficulty

1 · Very easy 1 2 · Easy 11 3 · Intermediate 9 4 · Advanced 4 5 · Very advanced 2

Focus

Core 22 Back & spine 11 Legs & glutes 7 Arms & shoulders 14 Full body 10 Balance 6

14 movements

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PiWall

Phalakasana - Long Stretch

In Yoga: Fundamentally, it is an adapted, standing, angled version of Phalakasana (Plank Pose) against gravity. At the same time, because the arms extend upward and forward, it can be considered a resisted form of Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute Pose) or a practice of Virabhadrasana III (Warrior III) where the feet remain on the ground. In Pilates: It is the exact standing equivalent of the famous "Long Stretch" series performed on the Reformer or "The Lean" posture on the Wunda Chair. The goal is to keep the body stable and unbending "like a board" (plank).

Works While the strap supports the hips, the entire posterior chain of the body works with a tremendous isometric (static) contraction to prevent the upper torso from falling forward (toward the ground) due to gravity: · Erector Spinae (Spinal Erectors) · Gluteus Maximus (Glutes) and Hamstrings · Deltoids (Shoulders) and Trapezius

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PiWall

Bridge Pose - Shoulder Bridge

In Yoga: It is a hybrid version of the Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose) and Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand) poses performed using a wall. Additionally, it can be considered a variation of the wall-supported Eka Pada Setu Bandhasana (One-Legged Bridge Pose) practice that deepens the hip angle. In Pilates: It is very similar to the "Bicycle" or "Scissors" series performed in the "Shoulder Bridge" position on the mat. It is the equivalent of the "Bottoms Up" on the Reformer or the asymmetrical bridge movements performed by pushing the pedal with one leg on the Wunda Chair, adapted here with gravity and wall resistance.

Works This movement requires an asymmetrical (unilateral) pushing force in the lower body while demanding balance and stabilization in the core region: · Gluteus Maximus (Glutes) and Hamstrings · Core Muscles · Iliopsoas and Quadriceps (Hip Flexors and Front Thighs)

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PiWall

Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana - Single Leg Elephant

In Yoga: Fundamentally, it is a wall-supported version of the Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana (Three-Legged / One-Legged Downward-Facing Dog) pose. Placing the leg—which is normally held in the air—on the bar eliminates the struggle for balance against gravity, allowing the focus to shift to the stretching (split) dynamics of the pose. In Pilates: It is mechanically and in terms of spinal angle very similar to the "Single Leg Elephant" movement performed on the Reformer and the "Arabesque" stretching series performed on the Cadillac (Trapeze Table).

Works This movement provides an asymmetrical opening in the lower body while operating on the principle of elongating the spine by pushing against the floor with the upper body: · Hamstrings and Calves · Shoulder and Chest Girdle (Pectoralis, Latissimus Dorsi) · Iliopsoas (Hip Flexors)

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PiWall

Half Roll Back - Ardha Navasana

In Pilates: This movement is one of the most fundamental building blocks of the Pilates system. It is a version of the "Half Roll Back" movement from the mat series, performed with spring resistance. It exactly resembles the "Roll Down" series performed on the Cadillac (Trapeze Table) or Springboard, where you hold onto the springs, curve the spine into a "C" shape (C-Curve), and lean backward. In Yoga: Visually, in terms of the backward lean of the torso and the load carried by the abdominal muscles, it is very similar to the Ardha Navasana (Half Boat Pose). However, because there is no spring resistance trying to pull the body forward in yoga, the dynamics are different; here, there is a resistance against the springs (anti-flexion/extension).

Works This movement is an exercise that combines isometric and eccentric contractions, placing the primary workload on the core region while keeping the upper body and arms stable: · Core Muscles · Iliopsoas (Hip Flexors) · Back and Scapular Stabilizers

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How the difficulty scale works

Every movement is rated from 1 to 5 on its biomechanical demands: core activation, upper-body strength, and the balance and flexibility it asks for.

Very easy: Fully supported, passive stretches performed on the floor.
Easy: Basic pulling, pushing and stretching from a stable base — seated, kneeling, or standing with support.
Intermediate: Exercises calling for active balance, moderate flexibility, or genuine core control.
Advanced: Active inversions, plank and flight shapes carried on full body weight — high core activation, shoulder mobility, and spatial awareness.
Very advanced: Acrobatic and gymnastic shapes demanding elite upper-body and abdominal strength to hold body weight stable against gravity.

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