Back and Shoulders › Sally Parkes
“You are only as old as your spine”
Goes the saying. It’s really important for you to keep your spine moving so that it stays strong, healthy and flexible. But you knew that already. These videos are great if you have a desk job and don’t move as much as you could, or if you already have stiff spine, shoulders or hips. Just remember to do the practices in these videos. Every day. We have got videos of different lengths here so you don’t need to put your back out trying to fit it in your schedule.
We don’t guarantee that you’ll be ready to join the Chinese circus, but we think that your back will appreciate the extra loving you give it and will reward you with less pain. You’ll start feeling that your life has some backbone, quite literally. This will lead to you making better decisions, possibly leading a life from a position of courage. You may start to feel your back is longer, you may start to sit up taller, you may start to notice when you slump or st... Show more
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43:14Pilates for Back Stability & Rehabilitation
Supportive, floor-based Pilates focused on rebuilding strength and stability in the back. Controlled movements strengthen muscles around the spine without adding strain, while improving overall alignment and support. Suitable for when recovering from injury or managing ongoing back issues, when practiced mindfully and with advice from a health professional. Mostly equipment free but a block and yoga belt would be useful. Recorded 11/05/25
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43:35Pilates for Back Mobility
Gentle Pilates focused on easing discomfort in the back and helping the spine move more freely. Small, controlled movements release tension in the lower back and pelvis, while simple sequences improve mobility through the whole spine. Helps improve posture and reduce everyday aches. Ideal for stiffness or following long periods of sitting or standing. Mostly equipment free but a block and yoga belt would be useful. Recorded 05/05/26.
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44:53Pilates to Rehabilitate the Back
Perfect for those recovering from back injuries and/or managing conditions of the spine. Mostly floor based micro movements followed by some short and manageable weight bearing exercises leaving us with a feeling of subtle strength inside and out. Equipment: Mostly equipment free but a block and yoga belt or long scarf would be useful. Recorded 16/02/26
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42:24Pilates for Aching Backs
Reset and rejuvenate even the most achy of spines with gentle stretches and Pilates based mobility movements. Starting with the lower back, we’ll gently move the pelvis and lumbar spine to alleviate tension before articulating the whole spine, all while learning subtle ways to engage the core for better support. A long shoulder, neck and jaw release, will leave us feeling elongated and more spacious in your body. Equipment: Mostly equipment free but a block and yoga belt or long scarf would be useful. Recorded 09/02/26.
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45:04Pilates for a Strong Spine
Move through Pilates that supports a strong, healthy spine by working the soft tissue around it and gently building muscle strength to encourage better mobility and support. Recorded 09/06/2025
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26:39Pilates for the Back
A back strengthening Pilates-based sequence; starting with gentle spine mobilisation then moving into spinal strength exercises. Pilates based movements are fantastic at creating postural balance and strength by working the entire body synergistically. This sequence works through the entire spine with a combination of flowing movements paired with strength exercises. You will need a block.
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29:04Gentle Yoga to Unwind
A gentle yoga class of floor based movements for when we're low on energy and needing a gentle boost. Keeping low to the ground, and with few poses which use wrists, this yoga class uses gravity to unwind the spine, open the chest and shoulder area, helping our heart centred energy to flow more freely. A perfect class if you're suffering from PMT or you're on your period. Many of our day to day movement patterns can create a rigidness to the spine and rib cage that negatively affects our respiration and levels of tension throughout the chest, shoulder and neck area. But by moving in a flowing and ‘softer’ way, working with gravity as opposed to against it, we can begin to release these areas of tightness to become more free in our body. This sequence of predominantly floor based Hatha Yoga asana will work to unravel the upper body, especially the chest area, to create increased synchronicity between the upper skeletal system, breath and ultimately the heart space. You may need a block and bolster.
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07:07All Trimesters: Shoulders & Spine
A wonderful, gentle pregnancy yoga class suitable for all trimesters which is designed to stretch out the shoulders and lower back. Expect a selection of simple poses which will help to open up the chest, shoulders and the back of the body. This is a short sequence you can do anytime when you feel you need to stretch out and release these areas of the body. You will need a wall and a chair.
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23:50Yoga to Strengthen the Spine
A yoga class to release and strengthen the back, with a focus on the lower back. Lower back pain and discomfort is common in today’s society and the reasons for this vary, but can include a lack of regular stretching, too much of the same kind of strength work or too much flexibility (Hypermobility). Whatever the reason, Pilates inspired movements can assist with regaining balance of this sometimes vulnerable are. This sequence is packed full of small stabilising movements which give a sense of strength throughout the entire core area and is also punctuated with gentle stretches to unwind and release the entire spine.
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27:32Pilates Series (5)
The final class in Sally's Pilates Series will challenge even regular practitioners! This class is the strongest of this progressive series. Enjoy increased strength and tone, a more stable and stronger core and longer abdominal muscles with this fabulous finale of our Pilates series.
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21:34Pilates Series (4)
The fourth class in our Pilates series, a stronger intermediate Pilates class building up abdominal strengh.
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22:23Pilates Series (3)
The third in our Pilates series, this is an intermediate Pilates class building your abdominal strength.
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