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30 Minute Full Body Pilates Workout [Lesley Logan]

  • Author: Lesley Logan
  • September 18, 2023
Home  »  Blog   »   30 Minute Full Body Pilates Workout [Lesley Logan]
30 min full pilates exercises & order workout on the mat online pilates classes

30-minute Pilates Mat Workout

Hello, I’m Lesley Logan, co-founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com™ and today we’re doing a 30-minute Mat Workout based on Return to Life by Joseph Pilates, his order, and also the order that I included in my flashcards that Jay Grimes taught me and many other classical teachers use today. All right, so I first started studying Pilates as client in 2005, but as a teacher in 2008, and I was lucky enough to study with somebody trained by Romana. Romana was one of Joseph Pilates’ clients. And that order that they taught me was amazing. It made so much sense. I got super, super strong. And then in 2016, I did a training with Jay Grimes and the people that he teaches with like Sandy Shimoda and Karen Frischmann. And that Mat order was just so fun. It’s what we’re gonna learn a lot about today. I will also be calling out which exercises are from “Return to Life,” and which exercises have been added in by some of Joseph Pilates’ clients.

Classical Pilates is based on Joseph Pilates’s orders

If you’re wondering that there’s a classical Pilates? Yes, just like other fitness modalities there are different versions. Classical Pilates is based off of Joseph Pilates orders and his intentions, and is how I like to teach Pilates. Is there a better version of Pilates? No, the best version is the one that you enjoy for your body. And that is amazing. And that’s what I would love for you to explore. Because I think it’s important to not get in the nuances of which one is better, but instead which one is better for you.

Because I believe that everyone should have a personal practice, memorizing the order, from “Return to Life,” or from my deck can be really difficult. Like, have you ever tried to memorize anything recently? And so I find that by having a practice in your body and experience in the movements in your body, not just seen, but actually doing it makes it so much easier to memorize the order so you can have personal practice whether you have access to this video. Or if you’re somewhere where there’s no access to internet. It’s important that you can lay down on the ground and have a personal Pilates practice that makes you do your life better.

Leave your comments below

If you have any questions about the order or the exercises, how it works, please put them in the comments below. I love to answer those every single Sunday at our live Q&A at 9am Pacific Time, and make sure you subscribe to this channel so you never miss out any other tutorials, any of the informational Mythbusters we’d love to do and of course Pilates workouts on all types of equipment.

Welcome to OnlinePilatesClasses.com™. The most supportive Pilates loving community across the globe. Enjoy new weekly classes from our amazing teachers. Download the OnlinePilatesClasses.com™ app today.

Alright, with that. Let’s get started.

Here is the Mat Pilates exercise order:

Pilates can attract people who want to be perfect

My love, you just did it! You just did the full order. And whether or not you skipped some, or omitted some, replaced them with something that you’re more able to do right now, you did this. And it’s so important that you hear that from someone. Because too often, Pilates can attract people who want to be perfect, and have this control and do it right. And guess what, every day is a new day to be inside your body. So I want you to sit here and just take a moment and celebrate what you did do. And recognize that it’s brave and courageous to replace something with what you couldn’t do yet, with something that you could, right? If you weren’t able to do something yet, it is brave and courageous to replace it with something you can do right now. That’s what we like to say, at OnlinePilatesClasses.com™.

Check out the Pilates Mat exercise options

To our members, we drop a new class every single week for the mat, and the reformer, and every single month on the mat, reformer, tower and chair. If you only have access to the floor, then check out the mat exercise options, because this is what Joseph Pilates created first. This is what he wanted us all to do. But it’s a practice. And even if you’re a teacher, you still have to give yourself permission to be in practice, to be in process. And that’s what we like to do. We like to remind you through accountability, through the amazing community, and through also giving you feedback on your form. In fact, only OPC members can get a feedback on their form, in real time in our live class that we do every month together. And also you can send video and when you’re ready.

Continue to become your own teacher

It is important to me that you continue to become your own teacher. It’s one of the most amazing things you can get for yourself because how you talk to yourself here on this mat is how you are going to train yourself for obstacles and challenges in your life. That is what we believe in OnlinePilatesClasses.com™. And so if you would like to try out, what it’s like to be in community, to have accountability, to have someone use the exercise to teach you how to teach yourself. So if you want to try that out, check us out here. Thank you so much for letting me teach you today. Thank you so much for let me nerd out with you. This is my favorite thing to do. My favorite thing is to like really let people fall in love with the mat because that’s what I fell in love with first. And if you have questions, join us on Sundays at 9am Pacific Time where I answer your questions live. Have an amazing day.

By Lesley Logan

Lesley Logan, a 2nd generation certified Pilates teacher, breathwork, habits and mindset coach, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise tutorials, where you can also find weekly Pilates classes and workshops. Teaching Pilates since 2008, she has run multiple studios, has trained hundreds of people to become teachers themselves and has taught thousands of students around the world. When not teaching from her studio in Las Vegas, Lesley she’s hosting her podcast Be It Till You See it or traveling the world leading Pilates retreats. Connect with Lesley on Instagram @lesley.logan or through the contact page on this site.

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Enjoying Lesley's teaching style? Willing to travel? Explore the world while maintaining your practice by joining Lesley on a Pilates retreat.

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30-minute Mat Classes (6x)
Every Tuesday we drop a new 30-minute Mat class from one of our teachers.
Value: $144

30-Minute Reformer Classes (x6)
Every Tuesday we drop a new 30-minute Reformer class from one of our teachers..
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Each month we drop a new 50-minute Reformer class from one of our teachers.
Value: $80

50-Minute Cadillac Classes (x2)
Each month we drop a new 50-minute Cadillac class from one of our teachers.
Value: $80

50-Minute Chair Classes (x2)
Each month we drop a new 50-minute Chair class from one of our teachers.
Value: $80

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ONE FOOT, TWO FOOT

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

We need to pay more attention to our feet... I know one more thing to add to the list. But! When we pay attention to our feet we get more access to our seat! So lets wake up our feet together and explore what new connections we get!

Props Needed: wash cloth and theraband or old leggings for warm up

See you in class,
-xxLL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, pole and a Mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, pole and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


LET IT GO, LET YOURSELF FLOW

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

We will be working through a flow without a lot of thought and correction. This is a way to evaluate where you are and what you can work on this year! Grab a notebook and if something is not feeling right, let's write it down and see if any of the upcoming classes will help us with that thing or thing(s).

No props needed.

Mindi

WANNA BUTT LIFT?

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

This theme will be a focus on what’s needed for inversion exercises. For inversion exercises, your upper back is what you “stand on” so you need your chest and shoulders open with a strong arm/back connection there. Let’s not over-neck it! Then, you need a strong center and thass to work together to get your hips up. It’s not the hips that are over your neck. It’s the hips up so the legs go overhead.

This means even if inversion exercises are not part of your regular practice, that’s ok. Because guess what? It’s more accessible to find connections when you’re right side up, and then the challenge is to maintain those connections when you’re upside down. So, as long as you’re practicing all the connections when you’re right side up, you’re continuing to build yourself up to have enough strength to someday go upside down. And even if you never go upside down, then you’re building yourself up to hold yourself upright, and that’s what you need to live your best life!

See you in class,
Christine

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Magic Circle

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Magic Circle

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


ONE FOOT, TWO FOOT

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

We need to pay more attention to our feet... I know one more thing to add to the list. But! When we pay attention to our feet we get more access to our seat! So lets wake up our feet together and explore what new connections we get!

Props needed:
wash cloth and theraband or old leggings for warm up

See you in class,
xx~LL

THINGS AREN’T ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Things Aren’t Always What They Seem
In this class, we’ll explore the idea that what you see isn’t only what you get. Pilates is a full-body practice, even when an exercise seems to target just one area. We’ll rethink familiar movements and bring awareness to the muscles that often go unnoticed-finding knees in hamstring curls, glutes in your Hundreds, and support where you least expect it. This class is about curiosity, connection, and discovering how everything in your body works together when you move with intention.

Props needed : ball and rod for mat

See you in class,
Megan

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


ROLL WITH ME

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Its time to focus on the rolling exercises and have fun doing it! If you struggle with rolling there's some gems in here for you. On the Reformer while we won't roll you'll gain insight on how your Reformer supports your rolling mat.

Mat: A dowel is helpful on the mat 

See you in class,
xxLL

WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT

Online Mat, Reformer, Tower/Cadillac & Wunda Chair Pilates Class Descriptions:

In this month's class, we're focusing on changing our perspective when it comes to the exercises we love to hate on. We'll tackle these exercises by strategically combining them with other exercises. By pairing them we hope you’ll discover new ways to connect with the intention behind the movements. Who knows, you might even learn to love them!

Props needed:
Mat: Magic Circle
Reformer: Magic Circle and small ball
Tower/Cadillac: no props
Wunda Chair: no rops

See ya in class,
xx-LL

WE GO TOGETHER

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, TOWER/CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

"We go together like Ramma-lamma-lamma-ka-dingity-da-dinga-dong".

We all know our Hundred helps all the other exercises. But did you know that on the mat the Spine Stretch Forward exercise also goes together with Open Leg Rocker? Or that Teaser on the Cadillac/Tower helps all the other Teasers on the mat, reformer, and Wunda Chair? And strengthening goes with stretching actions!

This month - let's review some exercises that may already be in your practice that you may not know how it can help your challenging exercises, or maybe even advanced exercises. Never overestimate the fundamental or foundational exercises because it’s all connected.

Hopefully, by the time the month ends, you'll see exercises on various apparatuses that will definitely help your mat practice, as well as other exercises on other apparatuses. With all equipment membership, definitely check out all the monthly classes, and see what progresses or improves over the course of the month. And celebrate your wins! And if anything feels stagnant, let us know in the community app, so we can help and support!

Most importantly, have fun as “we go together” all month long! Bonus points if you sing along with us!

Props needed:
Mat: Dowel
Reformer: none
Tower: none
Chair: Theraband

See ya in class,
xx-LL

SUCH A TEASE

ONLINE MAT & REFORMER PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Teaser is probably one of the most photographed exercises in Pilates. Which makes people think it's a "peak pose." But, it's anything but! It's simply another layer to your Pilates practice. This week we will acknowledge how each exercise contributes to your ability to do Teaser (someday) and then how Teaser teaches you where to get curious in your practice.

On the Mat we will use light weights for one round of Teaser as they can be helpful for those still adding into their practice.
No props on the Reformer.

See you in class,

xx~LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights and a Mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

ROLL WITH ME

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Its time to focus on the rolling exercises and have fun doing it! If you struggle with rolling there's some gems in here for you. On the Reformer while we won't roll you'll gain insight on how your Reformer supports your rolling mat.

See ya in class,
xx-LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: A dowel is helpful on the mat 

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer.

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


WANNA BUTT LIFT?

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

This theme will be a focus on what’s needed for inversion exercises. For inversion exercises, your upper back is what you “stand on” so you need your chest and shoulders open with a strong arm/back connection there. Let’s not over-neck it! Then, you need a strong center and thass to work together to get your hips up. It’s not the hips that are over your neck. It’s the hips up so the legs go overhead.

This means even if inversion exercises are not part of your regular practice, that’s ok. Because guess what? It’s more accessible to find connections when you’re right side up, and then the challenge is to maintain those connections when you’re upside down. So, as long as you’re practicing all the connections when you’re right side up, you’re continuing to build yourself up to have enough strength to someday go upside down. And even if you never go upside down, then you’re building yourself up to hold yourself upright, and that’s what you need to live your best life!

Props Needed : Magic circle

See you in class,
Christine

UP, UP, & AWAY

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

We are all going to feel like Super Humans after this month!!

Whenever I’m in a hard exercise (for me) where I’m holding myself up with my arms and reaching my legs away I picture myself with super human strength!!! I can do ANYTHING! It makes me smile and helps me stay STRONG.

This month our exercise is Up Stretch and when you think about it - reaching your legs away and staying strong over the carriage may feel a lot like flying!

We’ll be focusing on stabilizing our strong cores while staying equally balanced in our arms and legs. We are giving you some amazing building blocks by merging strength and stretch in all directions. You are going to get a little bit of everything that you can use to connect to your Up Stretch (and even your Roll Up and Knee Stretches Off).

Chair: Please have a foam roller and a balance pad available. We are going to challenge your balance safely.

xx-LL