What is an example of assisted retraction and resisted protraction on the Pilates apparatus?

Assisted retraction and resisted protraction refer to specific movements that involve the shoulder blades. In Pilates, these movements are often incorporated into exercises to promote better shoulder mechanics and to engage the upper back muscles effectively.

The swan on the low chair is designed to facilitate these movements significantly. When executing the swan, the practitioner extends the spine while simultaneously engaging the shoulder blades. The low chair provides a platform that allows for both the assistance of shoulder blade retraction (drawing the shoulder blades together) and the resistance of protraction (pushing the shoulder blades apart) as the arms and torso move through the exercise.

This dynamic allows the practitioner to strengthen the upper back and improve posture while maintaining stability throughout the shoulder girdle. The design and functionality of the low chair help to support this dual action, making it an exemplary choice for demonstrating these specific movements.

In contrast, the other options either do not specifically focus on the dynamics of assisted retraction and resisted protraction or are structured differently in a way that doesn't emphasize these actions as effectively as the swan on the low chair does.