I know most people who are familiar with Pilates just assume it's all "Powerhouse" work, and to some extent, that is true. And, all the exercises have a specific purpose and focus. The "Series of Five" is also known as "The Stomach Series". It's a group of five exercises that specifically target your stomach muscles on different layers. The group is a comprehensive unit. 

My clients have funny names for the series. One client calls it "The Party of 5", while another one calls it "The Stomach Shit". This client also jokes around that it's "The party everyone is invited to but doesn't want to attend." When the series is done the way it was intended, you get a wonderful burn in the abdomen, you expand the breath, and you lengthen the body! For gym people, it would be similar to doing crunches with more precession.

As stated, there are five exercises in the "Series of Five". Single Leg Stretch, Double Leg Stretch, Single Straight Leg, Double Straight Leg and Criss Cross. Only two of these five are in the Beginner Mat. You are looking to work into your "Pilates Box" first, which is your torso. You always want to keep you Pilates Box square, and work from that place even if you have to limit your range of motion. You can always increase your range of motion, but you will find trouble doing so unless you have made the effort to keep your Pilates Box. That's when you graduate to the last three. Now, depending on your level, you may learn all five at once. Although there is a lot of coordination within the series, so, you may be strong enough to handle all five, but the coordination may have you dragging at first. 

What I find interesting is that Jay Grimes, another "elder" in the Pilates community, says that "Everything in Pilates comes back down to Double Leg Stretch". It makes sense! It's about coordinating your breath and movement, expanding that breath properly (meaning breathing into the backs of your lungs), and lengthening and strengthening the body. I love how it's considered a "beginner" exercise. Sounds like a lot for a beginner, right?! 

There are two books I highly recommend in learning this series. One, which I feel should go without mention, is Return to Life: The Art of Contrology by Joseph Pilates: https://amzn.to/3Ndlwhi There is everything to be learned from this book! When Romana was asked if she ever saw anyone do perfect Pilates, she mentioned two people, and one was a man from the mid-west who bought this book and executed it precisely. The other is a book one of my clients stumbled upon at a garage sale: https://amzn.to/38JkzhJ She showed it to me, and although ambivalent, I took a look. I was surprised to find it was a pretty decent book and had good explanations and pictures. Both are reasonably priced and great to have in your Pilates vocabulary. They are great for beginners or advanced alike. Add a bottle of champagne in Romana style, and NOW it's a party!

Let me know how you're doing with your series! I can always help trouble shoot!

Love, Light and Blessing,

Julia