On the ball.

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The NYC grapevine is abuzz with talk of a new body-conditioning method, something about Pilates and a ball called Pilates Integrated with Muscle Release Technique. Word is the Complexions dancers loved it, and it restored the Cedar Lake clan after their grueling work with Ohad Naharin.

Wellness and Pilates instructor Daniel Loigerot and former Ailey dancer/Pilates trainer Sarita Allen led a two-session workshop in their technique at the Ailey School in June. Slightly larger than a softball, the DL ball (initialed after Loigerot) offers resistance while accepting the weight of the body. Its size and texture combined with systematic exercises are designed to help "Release, Rebuild, and Renew."

RELEASE Class begins on the floor with the ball beneath the neck, then sacrum, using the weight of the body to release tension. Through a series of stretches the ball simultaneously invites more mobility and engages the core muscles.

REBUILD Incorporating the ball with traditional Pilates ups the ante on the Hundreds (ball between your ankles), leg extensions (balancing on the ball), and the full leg series (the ball between both hands). It increases the need to stabilize the core and makes it really hard to cheat.

RENEW Sitting atop the ball releases the lower lumbar, glutes, piriformis, hip flexors, abductors, and psoas by rolling gently, searching for the trigger points that cause pain and ginching. "A lot of times where you feel the pain is not where it's coming from," Loigerot explains. The subtle give of the ball allows you to go deep, creating space and length. With knowledge and consistency, the ball is designed to heal and even prevent injury by balancing core strength with plasticity in both the large muscle groups and the fasciae. You'll feel so much longer that your skinny jeans will be Capris! See www.dlfit.com.