Starting or Restarting Your Pilates Practice? Here’s What I’ve Learned

Consistency is pretty much key to anything you want in life. And, that is the truth for Pilates too! But, what if you are just starting your Pilates practice? How do you even do that? What does that look like? Is there a difference between Pilates and Yoga? Or, what if you had a Pilates practice but life happened and you are wanting to pick it back up again. But, how? Whether you are a true Pilates beginner or just beginning again there are so many benefits to a Pilates practice that the first key to getting started is to start. Right where you are!

  • Author: Lesley Logan
  • July 19, 2018
Table of Contents

Starting or Restarting Your Pilates Practice? Here’s What I’ve Learned

Consistency is pretty much key to anything you want in life. And, that is the truth for Pilates too! But, what if you are just starting your Pilates practice? How do you even do that? What does that look like? Is there a difference between Pilates and Yoga? Or, what if you had a Pilates practice but life happened and you are wanting to pick it back up again. But, how? Whether you are a true Pilates beginner or just beginning again there are so many benefits to a Pilates practice that the first key to getting started is to start. Right where you are!

Ok, I know that is kind of a non-answer. But, I still remember what it was like when I first began my Pilates journey. I had zero clue what Pilates was when I went to my first class. I had no idea after that if there was a class that was right for me. And way back then there was very little information on what classes were right for me, what I should expect and how I could tell I was even doing it right! Or, if I was feeling it in the right place.

However, what I realized very quickly and what I think you will to is that Pilates will meet you where you are. It doesn’t require you to be anything more than what you are today. Even if you find yourself in an advanced class. As long as you do what you can and you show up again (hopefully to a class more your speed) you will see that your body gets stronger and you can continue to dive deeper into it.

Plus, with Pilates, you can continue to do the same exercises over and over again and find more strength and more flexibility. I remember thinking when I started that I was sooo good at it. And, yes some exercises were hard but hey I looked like the ideal of the exercise. But as time went on I realized just how much more of me I could insert into the exercise. And, I believe you will experience this too.

I’ll never forget the day I broke my leg. I was more worried about my Pilates practice than anything else. I thought I was going to lose everything I had gained in the last 10 years of practice. But, what I discovered was that just like Pilates meets a beginner where they are Pilates meets you where you are with an injury too. And, the craziest thing was Pilates was the only workout I could do with my broken leg. My doctor was so impressed by how my recovery was going that he asked me what I was doing. I told him I was doing Pilates and quickly added but I wasn’t putting weight on my broken leg. He told me to keep doing it!

After I was released from his care and was allowed to begin putting weight on my leg again my Pilates practice was a little and a lot different. But, I actually am stronger now than I was before. In fact, if you have an ailment or injury Pilates not only allows you to move around it but it helps balance your body out and prevent injuries in the future.

So, what should you do if you are just starting out
1) Find a teacher who is right for you
2) Check out reviews and referrals on classes. Try out Privates before jumping into a big equipment class.
3) Create space in your schedule to be consistent
4) If in person isn’t possible then start a home practice
5) Supplement your Pilates with a home practice!
6) Take Your Pilates with you when you travel
7) Do the exercises you don’t like!
8) Have FUN!
9) Join me for a class or turn on your camera and let’s do a Skype session
10 Ask questions!

How often will you practice Pilates this week? Let me know below! Or, join me for my online class here and take it as much as you want until next week’s class drops.

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.

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 💋