How Do You Know It’s Bad?

Crazy times is the understatement of the year. Living life in this “new normal” somehow is starting to feel more normal. And, honestly, I find I am truly enjoying my new routines. Especially when I don’t listen to the news. Not that I am not staying informed. But, tbh, this time can be one that causes us to live in fear, and wait, hunker down and let time pass. Or, it can be a time we thrive. And, it’s all in how you look at it. Because, if you look back at your life there have been times where “bad things” have happened. Or, at least things that you felt were bad. And while this virus is more than “bad.” It is downright scary. How do we know this disruption in our daily lives is “bad?”

  • Author: Lesley Logan
  • March 26, 2020
Table of Contents

How Do You Know It’s Bad?

Crazy times is the understatement of the year. Living life in this “new normal” somehow is starting to feel more normal. And, honestly, I find I am truly enjoying my new routines. Especially when I don’t listen to the news. Not that I am not staying informed. But, tbh, this time can be one that causes us to live in fear, and wait, hunker down and let time pass. Or, it can be a time we thrive. And, it’s all in how you look at it. Because, if you look back at your life there have been times where “bad things” have happened. Or, at least things that you felt were bad. And while this virus is more than “bad.” It is downright scary. How do we know this disruption in our daily lives is “bad?”

In 2000 I was supposed to move to Hawaii and live with my grandparents, get residency there and then go to college a year later than I would have in California. In early 2001 that fell through. And I didn’t want to go to the junior college in town and wait a year or two to transfer. So, I scrambled and found a private liberal arts school that would accept me for the fall. And, that path lead me to where I am today. To some of the best friends I had. And, back in 2001 I thought how “life altering that was.” But, it was the best thing to happen to me after I got through it.

In 2013 I was homeless, totaled my car, the studio I taught out of closed and my other Pilates job transferred me. To say that my life was in chaos was an understatement. And, yet, everything that happened in those 3 months put me on the path that brought me here. In fact, the friends I had during this time introduced me to my now-husband, best friend and business partner. So, was that “rock bottom” bad?

In 2014 I broke my leg. I couldn’t walk on it for 6-8 weeks. My now husband but then week-long boyfriend moved in to take care of me. I had to change everything about how I worked. And yet, having that injury taught me more about my body, my Pilates practice and my friends. It allowed me to learn how to accept help. And, it also helped me deepen my Pilates practice in a way that changed how I teach everything. And, since 2015 I have been teaching workshops that directly relate to this broken leg. So, was that a bad thing to have happen?

In 2015 5 weeks before my wedding our venue canceled. We were on a super tight budget, we now were restricted on where we could have the wedding since people had flights and hotels. And it sucked! All that planning. When we found the place we got married in it was clear. That was THE PLACE we were to get married in. In fact, our wedding was published because of that venue. So, was it really bad that the original plan changed?

Today, I’m not able to teach in my studio. I am not able to see most of my clients. I can’t go to my favorite gyms or hang out at my neighbor’s house each week. I can’t go to dinner with my girlfriends or across town to a comedy club. But, I have been able to do less. To take more time for myself, my practice, to get clear on the projects I want to work on and the ones I don’t. And, yes it’s been a freaking rollercoaster ride. And, yes, there are moments of worry/wonder. However, what I do know to be true is that every “bad” thing has put me in the right path to lead me to where I am supposed to go. And, I don’t believe that it’s only true for me. I believe it for you too.

Grab a paper or go to the comments below. Write down every “bad” thing that happened to you and then think about what that did FOR you. I would love to hear you stories.

This crazy time will pass. How do you want to feel when it does? What do you want to be doing? During this time, focus on that. Focus on what you can do.

xx~LL

By Lesley Logan

Lesley Logan, NCPT, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise tutorial videos, where you can also find weekly online mat classes and workshops. When not teaching from her studio in Los Angeles, Lesley can be found traveling the world leading Pilates retreats, or offering Pilates business coaching to studio owners and other instructors through her private mastermind group. Connect with Lesley on instagram @lesley.logan or through the contact page on this site.

2 comments

  1. Amen ! I love this. Absolutely believe these current unprecedented days are causing me ( and so many ) to re evaluate and re prioritise what is and who are most important in my life and even when things return to” normal” there are changes taking place that will remain ! X

    1. Hi Treena, that makes me soo happy! The longer this goes on the more changes that I am making that I am sooo freaking loving. In fact, everything I wanted is happening. Sure it’s happening on a different timeline. But, isn’t it better to have what we’ve been wanting “someday” today? Thank you for reading! xx~LL

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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.

TOPS 'N TAILS

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

Tops ‘N Tails (or Tops & Tails) is a wonderful expression I grew up with! It means being ready-to-go…from top to bottom, front to back, end to end! Isn’t that exactly what Pilates does for our minds and bodies? It encourages us to ready for any adventure that comes our way because our workouts use variety to engage the whole body, and to focus our minds.

This month’s Reformer workout will have us exploring Tops ‘N Tails by working from the ends of The Order. We’ll alternate exercises from the beginning and from the end of our usual routine for a challenging time! You’ll need your reformer box and pole.

On the Wunda Chair and Mat we'll be focusing on working from the top half or the tail half of our bodies! While every exercise requires the whole body. Setting ourselves up for success from the Top to the Tail makes the most difference!

On the Cadillac/Tower we will work on how the top half of the body helps to support the bottom half and vice versa! Pilates allows us to use the whole body to help with strength from Top to Tail! Let's explore how the springs on the Cadillac/Tower make us connect to the whole body in each exercise.

xx-LL

MEET ME HALFWAY

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

This week we’re going to focus on how we use Abduction and Adduction to center ourselves, find our control, and harness our power. We’ll be working about halfway through The Order of Exercises on both the Mat and the Reformer with an Adduction - squeezing toward center - focus , then we’ll go back to the beginning and repeat those exercises with an Abduction - pulling away from center - focus. You’ll need something you can squeeze and something you can pull apart. So grab a ball and a resistance band, or just a magic circle and meet me halfway!

See you in class,

Tami

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a ball and a resistance band, or just a magic circle and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a ball and a resistance band, or just a magic circle and a reformer!

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

LEG PULLS ARE FUN

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Alright so maybe they're not fun! But, what we think about an exercise does matter! And if you don't like an exercise or you tell yourself you can't do an exercise I promise you your brain and body will believe it!

So, I'm taking Leg Pulls (Control Push Ups on the Reformer) and making them fun! So we can ALL enjoy what is possible from these dynamic duos!

Have a squishy ball or stuffed toy nearby for our Leg Pull moments on the Mat. Reformer no props needed.

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a squishy ball or stuffed toy 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.

CONTROL YOUR BALANCE

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Alright loves, you may not like going overhead and you may not be able to…yet..

But this week on the Mat and the Reformer we will be ready-ing ourselves to Control our Balance.
Yes, the exercise but there are so many ways to work this that if you are not going upside down you're going to feel your balance get controlled!

Think long legs, asymmetrical legs and maybe even a little single leg deadlift.

On the Mat, if you do struggle with balance go to a wall during the standing work or have a chair nearby. No extra props needed for the Reformer.

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

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.

SLINKY SPINE?

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

I know you remember the slinky! So wouldn't it be nice if our bodies could move like that? Well, it's not necessarily good to be super bendy, but it is good to be able to articulate the spine when we are able. In the classes this week we will work through the articulation and flexibility of the spine, as well as pay attention to trying not to go too far. Finding your strength and connections in your flexion and extension is going to be the key! Hopefully, you will feel like a slinky here and there throughout the class!

See you in class,

Mindi

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.

HORSES HORSES HORSES

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

If you are a lover of the Reformer chances are you have little love for the Horseback. I don't blame you. It's not that fun. If you're on the Mat you probably have no idea what this means…

And that's ok! Horseback is like a seated Teaser but harder!

On both the Mat and Reformer we will be playing with how to connect to this exercise, prepare for it and find a Horse that works for us!

Props: Mat, have light weights nearby

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, have light weights nearby 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.

FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS SKIP TORSO DAY!

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

I was thinking of arm days and leg days at the gym, and even the memes you see, which can go both ways. Either dragging yourself around the day after because you're so sore, or you have no muscles at all to hold you up because you skipped those days. Always the extremes with the memes (hey, that rhymed!), and that’s why we love them.

But this is what I love about Pilates - it’s the full body, the whole body. Everything is working together so one part is not overdoing it, while another part is doing nothing. The upper body, the lower body, and the side bodies are connected to our center, so that’s where our focus will be. Even when you think it’s about the arms or the legs, how can you ask a little more of your center to engage?

Props for the Wunda Chair: yoga block and long box for some exercises

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

TOPS & TAILS

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

Tops ‘N Tails (or Tops & Tails) is a wonderful expression I grew up with! It means being ready-to-go…from top to bottom, front to back, end to end! Isn’t that exactly what Pilates does for our minds and bodies? It encourages us to ready for any adventure that comes our way because our workouts use variety to engage the whole body, and to focus our minds.

This month’s Reformer workout will have us exploring Tops ‘N Tails by working from the ends of The Order. We’ll alternate exercises from the beginning and from the end of our usual routine for a challenging time! You’ll need your reformer box and pole.

On the Wunda Chair and Mat we'll be focusing on working from the top half or the tail half of our bodies! While every exercise requires the whole body. Setting ourselves up for success from the Top to the Tail makes the most difference!

On the Cadillac/Tower we will work on how the top half of the body helps to support the bottom half and vice versa! Pilates allows us to use the whole body to help with strength from Top to Tail! Let's explore how the springs on the Cadillac/Tower make us connect to the whole body in each exercise.

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋