In My Trunk

These “Must Have” Pilates Props, Books, & Tools  live in my trunk and travel with me everywhere I go!  I highly recommend each of the products below, whether you are looking to build up your At-Home Pilates Gym, Library, or choosing which items to bring to the office or pack in your suitcase for your next trip!

PROPS

Pilates Mat

My Pilates Mat goes everywhere I go, from the hotel to the theatre to the rehearsal space, so in addition to finding the perfect thickness, density, and feel for my mat, I also considered durability and portability.  The winner for me is EcoWise Delux Mat by Balanced Body.At 5/8” thick, I can work on the hardest of surfaces and still Roll Like A Ball with no pain!  It is lightweight, rolls up nicely and is easy to carry, plus its closed cell foam construction means I can smash it in my trunk and it will bounce back beautifully to its original shape in the next city.  And, as an added bonus, this mat contains no latex, PVS or chloride.  See what I travel with Here

Magic Circle

This circle is truly magical!  A great learning tool for the abdominals, this little prop can also be used to add a killer arm and leg workout to the mat series.  The Magic Circle is also great for assisting with stretches and promotes working evenly and balanced body placement.  As a dancer, I can sometimes get stuck with tension in my hip flexors, and my go-to solution is to use the magic circle to help me find and activate the backside of my legs, releasing my hip flexors.  The Magic Circle is also light weight and takes up minimal space in my trunk!  See what I travel with Here

3’ Black Foam Roller

My very favorite Pilates Prop, which luckily work travels for me!  I would not recommend throwing this in your suitcase… although light in weight, it takes up a ton of space.  I prefer the Black Foam Rollers which are the most dense and firm.  The curved surface helps to improve balance big time and activate the core, and there are some really great exercises that open the chest and give wonderful extension without being on your stomach or having a spine corrector on hand.  The self-myofascial massage and release is AMAZING!  Yes it can be painful but is so therapeutic!  See what I travel with Here 

Stability Ball

Yep, I hand-pump this ball up in every new city!  It’s that great!  The Stability Ball challenges core stability and improves balance.  It’s also a wonderful tool when your neck and cervical spine need a serious break, or you are unable to perform exercises on your back.  This ball gets inflated and deflated at least once a month, and has held up wonderfully!  See what I travel with Here

Thera-Bands (Light - Set of 3)

Great for adding resistance to my mat work & assisting with stretching.  These tiny bands are THE most portable Pilates prop - there’s no excuse for being without a set of these!  See what I travel with Here

2.5” Pinky Ball

This pinky ball is a great little tool for keeping my abdominal “scoop” honest.  I place the pinky ball on my belly button for almost all of the supine mat exercises and try to keep it there by scooping my abs in and up like crazy!  It’s a really fun challenge & learning tool!  As an added bonus, the pinky ball is just the right size and density to make a great spot massager - it’s especially perfect for getting into the armpit, scapula, and inside of the knee joint.  See what I travel with Here

Set of 2 3 lb. Weights

A set of light hand weights (1-5 lbs each) is great for challenging the Secondary Powerhouse in the mat routine, and taking pressure off the wrists for planks and Pilates pushups.  I love using them to simulate the Reformer “Rowing” Series, in a classic Standing Arm Series, & to add a challenge to the “California Rowing” Mat Series.  3 pounds is the happy-medium weight for me - enough work without too much added weight to my luggage!  See what I travel with Here

Adjustable Ankle Weights (2.5 lb.)

I travel these specifically for when I really want to be a Pilates-Rockstar with the “Side Kick Series”… Hello abs and glutes!  Totally worth the 5 extra pounds in my luggage.  See what I travel with Here

TOOLS

Soft-Spike Massage Balls (Red)

This spiked massage ball is just the right size and delivers just enough pressure for the bottom of my foot, scapula, and knee joint, to relieve pain and tension without brining me to tears!  See what I travel with Here

Thera Cane Massager

I was introduced to this tool at a PT Office years ago, and was immediately hooked.  The Thera Cane Massager allows you to reach every hard to reach knot on your body with deep, direct compression.  Great for relieving pain and getting at those trigger points in all areas of the back as well as the neck.  It weights only 2 pounds and lays flat in my luggage… it’s a no-brainer travel item!  See what I travel with Here

BOOKS/MEDIA

A PIlates’ Primer: The Millenium Edition (Paperback)

Because sometimes your need to hear it from the Horse’s Mouth!  This slim paperback contains the two published works of Joseph Pilates himself; “Return to Life Through Contrology” and “Your Health”.  Inspiration strikes on every page, plus the descriptions of the complete original Mat Routine accompanied by photos of Mr. Pilates himself executing each exercise in his iconic white-trunks is not to be missed!  My copy has notes and highlights on every page!  See what I travel with Here

Anatomy of Movement (Paperback) by Blandine Calais-Germain

Approaching anatomy from a movement perspective just makes a lot of sense to a me as a Dancer and Pilates Teacher.  I am always trying to learn more about the way our body works through anatomy and kinesiology, and this book is an excellent introduction.  It is very in depth, yet easy to navigate and doesn’t completely blow me away!  See what I travel with Here

Core Pilates NYC Teacher Manuals

I travel digital copies of all my Teacher Manuals to keep my technique and teaching skills up to par.  They are an awesome resource!  And, I’m always referencing them for my “Special Condition” clients!  Learn more about the Core Pilates NYC Training Program Here

Classical Pilates’ Original Studio Collection DVDs

I travel 4 of the 6 in this series including “The Complete Mat Workout Series”, “The Studio Equipment Series”, “The Complete Magic Circle Mat Series”, and “The Complete Universal Reformer Series”.  These are a MUST for me on the road.  I don’t always get to see classical form and proper technique, and sometimes go for weeks at a time without laying hand on a Cadillac or Reformer, let alone a Spine Corrector!  This series shows it all beautifully, and every time I watch I learn a new cue or modification for an exercise, and am inspired by the masterful execution of the exercises.  See what I travel with Here