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How to Prepare for Your Pilates Retreat

Going on a Pilates retreat? Good, I’m so excited for you! If you are coming along with me on one of my Pilates Retreats we are going to have an adventure you will remember for a lifetime! Yep, I am that confident. 

But, how do you prepare for a Pilates retreat? What do you need to bring? What can you expect? Should you be training for it? I remember the first retreat I went on as an attendee. It was a yoga retreat and I knew to bring my mat and some clothes but I had so many questions about what else should I be prepared to do. I had an amazing time but had wondered how much more fun I would have had had I know what to expect. 

  • Author: Lesley Logan
  • January 26, 2018
Table of Contents

How to Prepare for Your Pilates Retreat

Going on a Pilates retreat? Good, I’m so excited for you! If you are coming along with me on one of my Pilates Retreats we are going to have an adventure you will remember for a lifetime! Yep, I am that confident.

But, how do you prepare for a Pilates retreat? What do you need to bring? What can you expect? Should you be training for it? I remember the first retreat I went on as an attendee. It was a yoga retreat and I knew to bring my mat and some clothes but I had so many questions about what else should I be prepared to do. I had an amazing time but had wondered how much more fun I would have had had I know what to expect.

 Let’s talk about how you can prepare for a Pilates retreat:

  • Check the weather where you are going: Look at the days before and after just in case there are any shifts. Be ready for the weather you are arriving in. When we travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia the weather is more humid and warmer than in LA. I may be a little on the chilly side as I travel to LAX but when I land I am ready for the elements.
  • Bring plenty of Pilates workout clothes. And, they don’t take up too much space, they double as daywear should you need it and also are usually more comfortable than jeans and a t-shirt when exploring.
  • Know your schedule: My retreat guests can see when their Pilates mat class is every day, tours, meals, and workshops. And, they know their free time. This is the time that you can explore more on your own. Ask your host for any suggestions or if you’re like me you simply find a great cafe and enjoy just being part of the local life.
  • Tell your Retreat host: about any food allergies, injuries, aches, pains, goals and why you chose to go on a retreat! And bring supplemental snacks if you are someone who has specific dietary restrictions. In some parts of the world it is not easy to accommodate everyone but if your retreat host is like me they do their very best. But, just in case the meal schedule is not in line with your eating schedule you won’t be hungry if you have a snack.
  • Ask if you need to bring your own mat. My retreat in Siem Reap provides mats which makes the long haul easier. But, most retreats will need you to provide your own mat.
  • Be ready to let go! The best part about retreats is they take you out of your routine, the allow you to put yourself in an environment to focus on your practice. I love to schedule the adventure and allow my retreaters to just show up and enjoy. On some retreats, they are a way to have a forced disconnection. On my retreats wifi is always available. So, you can choose to work during your free time or keep all your devices on airplane mode.
  • Continue your Pilates practice. Or begin it! Ask your host of videos to watch or go to their classes. You don’t need to be perfect at it (ps there is no such thing) but you do want to at least begin a Pilates practice if you can before you go!
  • Book your flight! Or, schedule your travel accommodations with enough time to not miss part of your retreat if your flight is delayed. Ask your retreat host if you need something special like a visa.
  • Expect to be surprised at what you can do when you do Pilates daily. Exercises that were difficult become accessible because you will be deep diving into your own practice. And, for my Siem Reap and Maui retreats expect views that will take your breath away!

As I begin to pack up for my next Pilates retreat abroad I make sure to bring Counter Attack and I go to Pure Vitality for a JetSetter IV. Traveling for busy people who never rest can mean arriving on your trip with a cold. So, prevention is key! I also leave room in my bags for any new goodies I want to bring home.  And, I bring Primal Kitchen collagen packets for the flights. Sometimes the food isn’t in line with what my body loves. So, my protein shakes hold me over until I can get some food at another airport or when I arrive.

What retreat are you going on next? Ready to get yourself on a Pilates Retreat? I’ve got two more coming up this year in Maui and Angkor Wat.

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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,

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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.

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

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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.

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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.

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

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See ya in class,

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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 💋