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How to enjoy Pilates with Control

  • Author: lesley.logan
  • September 6, 2017
Home  »  Blog   »   How to enjoy Pilates with Control
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Onlines-Pilates-mat-Class-control--thegem-blog-default - Online Pilates Classes

I used to think that ‘Control’ when doing Pilates meant ‘Slow.’ I know that slow is not in the definition of control. But, think about the last time you tried to control what you were doing? Did you slow down a moment? Did you think about what you were doing more? Did you get purposeful with the movements in your body? When you are practicing Control in Pilates is speed part of the equation?

I’ve discovered along the way of my Pilates path is that Control has more to do with efficiency and purpose and less about moving slower. In fact moving slower often means less about the right muscles being in control and allows the muscles that are used to overworking take over. Think about it? If a muscle is small, weaker or underdeveloped do you think it can hang in there while you move slower… NOPE.

So, join me in this week’s class (register here) and enjoy 30 min of a full body mat class that allows you to feel the control without feeling like you’re put in slo-mo!

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.

Loving this Pilates exercise tutorial? Take weekly online Pilates mat classes with OPC Teachers.
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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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.

SWING LIFE AWAY

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

So much of Pilates movement we get to experience in the real world too! In class this week we’ll feel the similarities between swinging on a swing and movements in our Pilates practice. We will have fun imagining while we swing life away.

Mat props: Rod or a swiffer stick
Reformer Props: box, grip pad

See you in class,
Megan Lauman

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Rod or a swiffer stick and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, box, grip pad and a reformer!

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


WEIGHTS NOT WEIGHING YOU DOWN

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Welcome to "Weights Not Weighing You Down"! In this class, we’re skipping the straps and we’ll be using light weights (1-2 pounds), or if you don’t have those, something like water bottles will do. I want you to notice just how much the straps and springs usually help, but more importantly, this is your chance to avoid muscling through the work. Let’s focus on finding where your arms move from your back and really connect to that throughout the class.

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

PLANK YOU VERY MUCH!

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

Do you know how to stop time... Do a timed Plank!! So this month we will not be stopping time, but we will go though all of the points you should think about when you are doing a plank. There are many planks throughout the Mat and Reformer work. Working on these areas from head to toe and making them all come together for each Plank! Arm/back connection, Thass® connection, and how do we stay out of those wrists? On each apparatus we will help you find these areas and strengthen your Plank each time!

Tower/Cadillac - no props
Wunda Chair - optional mat
Mat - light weights and a magic circle
Reformer - no props

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

ABS, BACK, GLUTES, THIGHS

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

Todrick Hall’s song “nails, hair, hips, heels” came on during one of my playlists, and it got my brain thinking of how to turn this song and use it for Pilates, and boom, here’s this month’s theme - abs, back, glutes, thighs. With Pilates being a full-body workout, think of this as your checklist as you work out this month since these are all connected while we practice all of our exercises on all of the apparatuses.

Abs, back, glutes, thighs, check, check, check, check!

Props for Wunda Chair: yoga block (or a couple of hardcover books)

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

THE WALL WAY

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

We're going to use our wall or something you can stand up against! I like using the wall because it lets us know where we are today, and where we are at the end of class. On the Reformer we will use our carriage like the wall!

It's important to give ourselves permission to be where we are today. Our bodies are different every single day - pat yourself on the back for showing up today!! Celebrate!

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.


FALL IN LOVE WITH TEASER

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Teaser is usually a love hate relationship for most people! What’s really interesting is that Teaser sneaks its way into lots of exercises on the Mat and Reformer. 

Through these classes, we will have a little fun adding Teaser into other exercises and also adding variations to help you build your Teaser!

Come fall in love with it again or maybe for the first time!

No props needed.

See you in class,
Mindi

FALL IN LOVE WITH TEASER

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Teaser is usually a love hate relationship for most people! What’s really interesting is that Teaser sneaks its way into lots of exercises on the Mat and Reformer. 

Through these classes, we will have a little fun adding Teaser into other exercises and also adding variations to help you build your Teaser!

Come fall in love with it again or maybe for the first time!

No props needed.

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.


    SWING LIFE AWAY

    Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

    So much of Pilates movement we get to experience in the real world too! In class this week we’ll feel the similarities between swinging on a swing and movements in our Pilates practice. We will have fun imagining while we swing life away.

    Reformer Props: box, grip pad
    Mat props: Rod or a swiffer stick

    See you in class,
    Megan

    WEIGHTS NOT WEIGHING YOU DOWN

    Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

    Welcome to "Weights Not Weighing You Down"! In this class, we’re skipping the straps and we’ll be using light weights (1-2 pounds), or if you don’t have those, something like water bottles will do. I want you to notice just how much the straps and springs usually help, but more importantly, this is your chance to avoid muscling through the work. Let’s focus on finding where your arms move from your back and really connect to that throughout the class.

    See ya 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, light weights and a reformer!

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


    PULL ME UP

    Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

    The beauty of Pilates is based on lifting the spine in every exercise!

    For years I tend to tuck my pelvis when doing Hundred, Roll-up, Teaser etc… I used to pull up from the wrong place and didn´t get the lift! This made my back feel bad, I‘ve got tight hip flexors and weak back body muscles. Since then I am exploring the longest round shape aka C-Curve and pelvic stability. I would love to share this with you in this week‘s Mat and Reformer Class. We will find ways to bend through our center spine instead of tucking the pelvis or rounding the shoulders which will help us to open up our low backs and making flexion safe.

    Let‘s feel our center deeply!

    Mat Props: Pole (Broomstick), Magic Circle, A small rolled up towel, Wall
    Reformer Props: (Box, Non-slipping Pad), A small rolled up towel, Squishy Ball/Soft Ball

    See you in class,
    Yasmin

    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