What Piece of Pilates Equipment Should You Buy First?

I absolutely love a good backbend! When I am in Yoga class I cannot wait until wheel pose is announced. But, it took Pilates to teach me where I should really be working on. While I was young and flexible I was totally in my lower back. And, Pilates arches aka back extension is all about getting the longest extension possible. Not dumping into the lower back. 

I cannot wait to be back in Siem Reap, Cambodia in November for my next Pilates retreat! Besides visiting Angkor Wat, the Bayon Temple, Preah Khan, and many other majestic Temples we will be doing lots of Pilates, visiting a special Pagoda (read no other tourists) and eating some of the best treats Cambodians have to offer. But, there is more to Cambodia than just the Temples.

Pilates is a method and a process that compounds in your mind and body overtime. When Joseph Pilates created his method he believed that in “10 sessions you’ll feel different, in 20 sessions you will look different and in 30 sessions you will have a whole new body.” People often forget that last part which says you have to do it four times a week! But, as we know practice simply makes habit. And, Pilates is more than choreography. It’s truly the ability to connect and maintain that connection as you move. So, how do you reach in Pilates?

As I write this post I am hours away from a call with hopefully my last attempt to living life without wondering can I eat this? If I eat this how will I feel?

I going to just get super freaking honest here. I try to not be jealous of anyone. It happens, but usually, I take note and move on.

When I first discovered Pilates it was on the mat. I changed my whole life to make sure I could…

I know that after that ninth breath during the Pilates 100 you just want to let it all hang out as soon as you hear that you’ve reached the end. But, that would be the such a bummer. To warm up so efficiently and then let it all go make the next exercise ten times harder to do. 

There are A LOT of moving pieces in the Short Box series. And, I could have talked for HOURS about this whole series and still missed some key tips. The Short Box Series on the Reformer is integral to all of your Pilates exercises. I mean, it literally has every single spine shape that we create in one package.

When Joseph Pilates brought his method to New York City in the 1920’s most of his clients were males. It’s been said that the Pilates method, which he called ‘Contrology’ was created by a man for men. Yes, Pilates for men was the original intent.

In this week’s class, LL wants you to feel your body go in two different directions. Normally in life, we prefer not to be pulled all over the place but in this case, on your Pilates mat, you will love how this tug of war feels inside your body. Plus, connecting your body to Pilates and your mind on your mat will allow the outside world to disappear. So, what are you waiting for? Put those people vying for your attention on hold. Snag some floor space and enjoy the work of Pilates in your body.

Join Lesley Logan for a 30 min Pilates mat class designed for you to do anywhere you can lay down! Seriously, Pilates was designed on the mat first. Sometimes we can’t get to a studio, can’t leave the house, office or we are off traveling. Lesley’s mat class is perfect for your 30 min window dedicated to all things you. Turn your notifications off and lay out your mat (or even a towel) and get connected to your mat.

The Pilates Cadillac is extremely useful to for diving deep into your Pilates practice. It’s one of the most supportive pieces of equipment. The options are endless and all are meant to help strengthen you and prepare you for the Pilates exercises around the room.

Pilates is a unique balance of strength, stretch, reach, contract and flow.  Pilates exercises are easy to make look “right.” I like to think its because Pilates is designed to make everything you are already doing in life better. So, the moves are not crazy (well ok some look bit crazy) they are natural movements our bodies should be able to do.

You are in search of the perfect Pilates Retreat, it’s on your bucket list but you only have so much vacation time in a year. Your partner, kids, friends all want to go on a trip too! When push comes to shove your Pilates retreat gets pushed to next year and you are left with a little FOMO while going on a family trip. But, what if you could have a family vacation and Pilates retreat all wrapped up into one? 

Working From Home, WFH, and not excited about it? Or, maybe you were and then you got to day three, five and it’s looking like it might be more indefinite than you think? Couple that with the fact that the store’s shelves are bare, you’re not supposed to be in them anyways. And, if you’re in a city like mine your favorite workout spaces, restaurants and bars are closed. WFH is starting to sound like the loneliest chapter in many lives. So, what can you do to make the most of it?

I used to LOVE when the Criss Cross came up in my Mat Pilates practice! I would do extra reps if I could. But, then when the Saw would arrive I couldn’t wait for it to be over. And, then Corkscrew would come up and I would fall in love with Twists again. But, I’ll never forget when I finally got Spine Twist. I absolutely LOVED it!