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Pilates · Mind Body

Cadillac Carola's Breathing

Cadillac Carola's Breathing is a Pilates sequence combining a supported bridge, spinal roll, and assisted Teaser. It trains abdominal control and coordination between breath and movement.

Higher injury risk. Read the safety notes before adding weight.

  • Advanced
  • Compound
  • Higher injury risk
  • Rest 1 min

How to do it

  1. Lie on your back beneath the preset push-through bar.
  2. Place your feet in the trapeze support.
  3. Grasp the secured bar with both hands, shoulder-width apart.
  4. Press the bar away from your chest along its preset path.
  5. Lift your hips into a bridge with your feet supported.
  6. Roll your spine back onto the mat from your upper back toward your pelvis.
  7. Curl your torso toward your supported legs into an assisted Teaser, balancing behind your sitting bones.
  8. Lower your torso back onto the mat to finish the sequence.

Form cues

  • Exhale lifting; inhale as you return.
  • Keep your neck long.
  • Keep your pelvis level.

Common mistakes

  • Overarching the bridgeUse a lower bridge that lets you keep your ribs aligned with your pelvis.
  • Pulling yourself up with your armsBegin the Teaser by curling your trunk rather than using an abrupt arm pull.
  • Collapsing onto the matShorten the movement until you can lower your torso gradually without dropping.

Safety

An unsecured or poorly controlled spring-loaded bar can recoil into your face or torso. Losing foot support or lifting too high in the bridge can load your neck or strain your back.

  • Have a qualified Pilates instructor set the apparatus and directly supervise this sequence.
  • Have the spring attachments, clips, trapeze, and required bar safety restraint checked before starting.
  • Keep your weight across your shoulders rather than your head during the bridge.
  • End the set if your grip, foot support, or control of the bar becomes unreliable.

If you have neck, back, or shoulder symptoms, osteoporosis, or a recent spinal injury, get advice from a physiotherapist or doctor before attempting this sequence.

Muscles worked

Front

Primary muscles

  • Abs

Secondary muscles

  • Hip Flexors
  • Obliques

Equipment

  • Pilates Cadillac

Sets and reps

Sets
1–2
Target
3–5 reps
Rest
1 min

Count the complete bridge-to-Teaser sequence as one rep; learn the phases separately before linking them.