How to Do Swan in Pilates Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search Pilates Beginners How to Do Swan in Pilates Proper Form, Variations, and Common Mistakes By Marguerite Ogle MS, RYT Marguerite Ogle MS, RYT Marguerite Ogle is a freelance writer and experienced natural wellness and life coach, who has been teaching Pilates for more than 35 years. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 28, 2021 Reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Kristin McGee, CPT Reviewed by Kristin McGee, CPT Kristin McGee is a certified personal trainer and currently teaches yoga and meditation for Peloton. She is also certified in Pilates and by the National Association of Sports Medicine. Learn about our Review Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Benefits Step-by-Step Instructions Common Mistakes Modifications and Variations Safety and Precautions Try It Out Verywell / Ben Goldstein Also Known As: Swan Prep, Swan Dive Prep, Rising Swan Targets: Abdominals, hip flexors Equipment Needed: Exercise mat Level: Beginner Swan in Pilates is an extension exercise done on the mat. It is one of the best exercises you can do as a counter stretch for the many forward flexion exercises in Pilates mat work. This is the beginner stretch that will prepare you for progressing to the advanced move, the Swan Dive. It is best to do Swan after you have warmed up the spine with a few forward flexion exercises, such as spine stretch and the hundred. It's a great stretch to do after time spent working on the computer, driving, or air travel. Benefits Swan opens the front-body, expands the chest and stretches the abdominals, hip flexors, and quadriceps. Besides being a counter stretch used during a Pilates sequence, anybody who sits a lot can experience tight hip flexors, and Swan will help restore flexibility. Swan also strengthens. Throughout Swan, the abdominals stay engaged and the shoulders, back, inner thighs, pelvic floor, glutes, and hamstrings are at work. Runners can benefit from maintaining good hip joint flexibility, and weightlifters will be able to perform squats better with more hip flexibility. Pilates exercises including Swan are also recommended for those with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease. There is some scientific evidence to suggest that Pilates exercises in general may be beneficial for individuals with this condition. 1:25 Watch Now: How to Do the Pilates Swan Step-by-Step Instructions You will need space to lay out your exercise mat. Lie on the mat face down. Keep your arms close to your body as you bend your elbows to bring your hands under your shoulders. Shoulders should be away from the ears. The legs are usually together, but it is acceptable to do this exercise with the legs shoulder-width apart. Engage your abdominal muscles, lifting your belly button up away from the mat. The abdominals remain lifted throughout the exercise. Inhale and lengthen your spine, sending energy through the top of your head as you press your forearms and hands into the mat to support a long upward arc the upper body. The elbows are close to the body, the head stays in line with the spine, and the hips stay on the mat. Protect your lower back by sending your tailbone down toward the mat. Exhale and keep your abdominals lifted as you release the arc, lengthening your spine as your torso returns to the mat in a sequential way: low-belly, mid-belly, low-ribs and so on. Repeat Swan 3 to 5 times using an even, flowing breath to support the movement. Finish by pushing back into the rest position with knees bent and body rounded over the thighs. Common Mistakes Avoid the following common errors of form to perform the exercise correctly and prevent injury. Raising Torso Too High Do not raise your torso up too high. Protect your back by keeping your abs lifted, your tailbone moving toward the mat, and the hips on the floor. Insufficient Warmup You need to have warmed up with other extension exercises before you do Swan. Not Using Your Back The lifting should come from your back, not by placing all of the weight on your hands. When done properly, there is little weight on your hands and you could even lift them from the mat briefly. Modifications and Variations Swan can help you build the strength and flexibility you need for the more advanced Swan Dive. Use these modifications and learn how to progress. Need a Modification Straighten your arms only as much as is comfortable and as much as allows you to maintain the connection of your hips and legs with the floor. Do not force yourself at first to raise all the way up to straight arms. If you have neck pain, be sure to keep your gaze forward rather than looking up. Make the movement smaller if you feel any tension in your lower back. Up for a Challenge The next steps are to try Swan with a neck roll and then on to Swan Dive. In the Swan with neck roll, when lifted you look first to the left and stretch, then roll your chin down to your chest, then roll your chin up to your right and stretch. Return your chin to the center position. For Swan Dive, release your arms from the Swan position, extending them straight alongside your ears. Your body will rock forward and because you are keeping your long arc and your legs will come up. Your job is to keep your inner thighs and glutes engaged, your abs lifted, and your shoulders integrated with your core. Extend your arms out and rock back and forth, keeping your long arc shape. Safety and Precautions If you have any injuries or pain in your back, neck, or wrists, you may wish to avoid this exercise. While the Swan may be recommended for relieving back pain, it is best to discuss it first with your doctor or physical therapist. If you feel any pain or excessive back tension during the exercise, gently release to floor and do not continue. People who are pregnant should modify or avoid Swan, especially during the first trimester, since it puts pressure on the abdomen. Try It Out Incorporate this move and similar ones into one of these popular workouts: Pilates exercises for back pain Pilates warmup exercises Pilates exercises for flexibility How to Do a Chest Lift in Pilates 7 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Eliks M, Zgorzalewicz-Stachowiak M, Zeńczak-Praga K. Application of Pilates-based exercises in the treatment of chronic non-specific low back pain: state of the art. Postgrad Med J. 2019;95(1119):41-45. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2018-135920 Boukabache A, Preece SJ, Brookes N. Prolonged sitting and physical inactivity are associated with limited hip extension: A cross-sectional study. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2021;51:102282. doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102282 Blank B. Oregon Health & Science University. Pilates for Parkinson’s Disease. An Instructional Handbook. 3rd Edition. Suárez-Iglesias D, Miller KJ, Seijo-Martínez M, Ayán C. Benefits of pilates in parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(8). doi:10.3390/medicina55080476 Yaprak Y. The effects of back extension training on back muscle strength and spinal range of motion in young females. Biol Sport. 2013;30(3):201-206. doi:10.5604/20831862.1047500 Lin H-T, Hung W-C, Hung J-L, Wu P-S, Liaw L-J, Chang J-H. Effects of Pilates on patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a systematic review. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016;28(10):2961-2969. doi:10.1589/jpts.28.2961 Evenson KR, Barakat R, Brown WJ, et al. Guidelines for physical activity during pregnancy: comparisons from around the world. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2014;8(2):102-121. doi:10.1177/1559827613498204 By Marguerite Ogle MS, RYT Marguerite Ogle is a freelance writer and experienced natural wellness and life coach, who has been teaching Pilates for more than 35 years. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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