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When My Gut Was At its Worst Pilates Was There to Help

  • Author: lesley.logan
  • September 5, 2019
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When My Gut Was At its Worst Pilates Was There to Help scaled thegem blog - Online Pilates Classes

I started doing Pilates several years before I began teaching Pilates. But, it was just before my Pilates apprenticeship began that my stomach started to give me issues. And, as I write this I am happy to report that after 10 years of digestive issues I am stronger than ever. Pilates was always there for me. Sometimes it was the only time I felt whole, connected and strong. Pilates was one of the only places I found ‘real’ answers for how I felt and where I was even when my stomach and seemingly my body felt like it was fighting against me.

When it comes to the gut there are many things that can be going wrong. And, so even if what I write sounds familiar to you I highly recommend you get seek professional help. And, do not stop until you get help. My doctors sooo got my situation wrong. I know it wasn’t on purpose. But, their help did make things worse for me. Please be your own advocate. I’m happy to send you the info for those who helped me.

Pilates is often thought of as an ab workout. And, even though there is plenty of evidence that it is not. The fact that you want everything to connect to your center as you move can make someone who suffers from stomach issues run for the alps. Or, think Pilates isn’t for them.

For me, I would start the day feeling and looking like a badass. As the day went on the clothes I was wearing in the morning would be swapped out for clothes that were looser to make room for my expanding stomach. Then by the end of the day, I was in sweats and in puppy dog pose to stretch my center and keep things moving. TMI? Sorry, not sorry, this info is something I want to share so if you’re suffering you know you’re not alone.

Doctors wanted to call it IBS…the catchall for “we don’t know but here’s this to help deal with the pain.” I was put on odd diets of all kinds. They would work for a bit and then eventually my system would figure them out and I would be back to square one. To say this was painful would be an understatement. Exhausting doesn’t even cut it. 10 years of wondering if “I could eat” something took a toll. Emotionally at the end, I was done. Physically I was barely functioning.

The pinnacle of these digestive issues came when I was doing more Pilates than ever before. I was doing The Work with Jay Grimes. My muscles were at their strongest. And, thank goodness for the program because had I not been in it I know I would have not been doing the one thing that makes me feel the best-Pilates.

If you are suffering from stomach issues I sooo feel you. I am welling up with tears thinking of you. I know it’s hard to take the time or effort to move your body. I also know that after every session I felt better than when I walked in. And, for at least 55 minutes I wasn’t thinking about my stomach. I wasn’t wondering if I had the right clothes in my bag to cover up my expanding stomach as the day dragged on. Pilates became a happy place for me. And while I couldn’t ‘feel’ my center most of the time. I could feel the footbar, the carriage, the mat, the handles, the straps, and springs.

I placed my focus on the things I could feel. The parts of my body that I could control. And after each session, I would have this post-Pilates bliss. I would feel like I was me. I was connected. I was whole.

If you are suffering from digestive issues, my goodness I feel for you. And I know that Pilates sounds like the last thing you want to do. But, I also know that the relaxation, the meditation that Pilates provided me, the control and connection kept me going. And, now, 6 months mostly pain-free, I can feel my center when I do Pilates.

xx~LL

PS I do not have IBS, never did. I had an overgrowth of stomach bacteria that despite doctors efforts the lack of support and discovery caused stress. That stress caused my body to stop producing stomach acid and go through a digestive cycle. Which then caused me to stop absorbing nutrition from food and the ability to break down food. So, every time I ate the food would sit and ferment aka bloat and the bacteria would feed off the food aka bloat. And there was only so much room so insert pain every day. The world is under massive stress on a daily basis. If you have stomach issues before you think it’s something diagnosable know that stress is the cause of 99% of all health issues.

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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6 comments

  1. Thanks for discussing this, Lesley. Your candor is amazing.
    Wanted to chime in that I have similar digestive issues: Astounding bloat. Innards complaining LOUDY during meetings. Discomfort! Frustration.
    Goes through cycles. Can last months.
    Stress absolutely a major factor!
    Thanks for keeping it real. 🙂

    1. Thank you J! I am hoping to write and share more like this. And ugh, I so so so feel you. There were nights when I went to bed at 5pm because I was in so much pain. And cycling was quite interesting too. I figured out what mine was. I hope you are able to find some more hints as to whats causing yours. Now that I am doing better when I have a set back I have no idea how I handled the pain before. xx~LL

  2. I need to check more into this witih my soon-to-be-new Dr. I have had issues for more than 30 years 🙁

    Thanks for sharing!

    1. Please pleas please be your own advocate. I know many doctors and homeopathic ones that believe IBS is a catch all. There is a way to really hone in on what your exact issue is.

  3. I was diagnosed with gastroparensis where my food just sits in my stomach. I’m
    Glad I got an endoscopy and I now I know why I feel so bad. I’m working on trying to resolve this through smaller meals however I still need to do a swallowing study (radioactive eggs, yummy) to see how king my food sits there. I also found out that probiotics aren’t always your friend. I am being tested for SIBO next. IBS diagnosis 20 years ago. Wrong.

    1. Yeah, Most people don’t realize that you have to get more strains in your probiotics. They are not all created equal. I def had a “sibo” like life but through changing my diet and probiotics and then going off those to do stomach acid because my food just sat there all day life is soo much better. Now, as long as I don’t eat more than my fair share (sometimes you just can’t help yourself) I am back on track. I’m interested to hear how long your food sits there too. Hope you find something that works for you. 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.

PINK PONY

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Let's talk Horseback? Its not an exercise you might know if you only do the Mat. So when you see Horseback think Spine Stretch Forward. However, both exercises look possible when you see them. Only to be discover there are many many layers. On the Mat we'll focus on what Spine Stretch forward reveals we need to work on and what we might be ready for. On the Reformer Horseback is a revealer exercise. Its not one you go slow on. And, it definitely shows where we have work to do!

See you 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.


UNDER THE SEA

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

This week’s theme is water named exercises - swan, swimming, seal, and crab. Here’s what’s awesome about these exercises - you learn swan before you learn swimming, and you learn seal before you learn crab. So, when it comes to swimming or crab, you can always replace it with swan or seal as you build yourself up to swimming and crab. And you may be able to practice the crab exercise today if it’s not in your regular practice because we’re going to break it down.

On the reformer, there are swan and swimming exercises, but no seal and crab exercises. However, there are exercises that are similar, and there are exercises that can support you so you can practice seal and crab exercises. Maybe even give it a go after your reformer practice to see how it helps!

Mat Prop: Magic Circle
No props for the reformer.

See you in class,
Christine

BUILD IT UP

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

We are extra excited for this month’s theme: Build It Up! It’s the perfect theme to meet you where you are in your practice.

We’ll start each exercise by doing a few reps of a basic version of the exercise, then we’ll gradually build into the full expression by adding more pieces. We are giving you options to work on any version you feel confident with, so you can find the best version for your body this month. How cool is that?

Props needed:
Mat: No props needed
Reformer: Reformer box and pole
Tower: No props needed
Chair: Reformer box, foam roller is optional

See ya in class,
xx-LL ????

IT TAKES 2!

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

Yaasss, it does take 2 to make a thing go right! This month, we’ll only be doing 2 reps of each exercise on the Mat, Reformer, Wunda Chair, and Cadillac/Tower. This is such a fun challenge for our bodies. Have a towel nearby because we’re gonna’ work up a sweat!

Props needed:
Mat: Magic Circle
Reformer: None
Tower/Cadillac: None
Wunda Chair: None

See ya in class,
xx-LL

UNDER THE SEA

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

This week’s theme is water named exercises - swan, swimming, seal, and crab. Here’s what’s awesome about these exercises - you learn swan before you learn swimming, and you learn seal before you learn crab. So, when it comes to swimming or crab, you can always replace it with swan or seal as you build yourself up to swimming and crab. And you may be able to practice the crab exercise today if it’s not in your regular practice because we’re going to break it down.

On the reformer, there are swan and swimming exercises, but no seal and crab exercises. However, there are exercises that are similar, and there are exercises that can support you so you can practice seal and crab exercises. Maybe even give it a go after your reformer practice to see how it helps!

See you in class,
Christine

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Magic Circle 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.


SUMMER SUMMER SUMMERTIME

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Summertime brings all types of fun activities such as paddle boarding, hiking, biking, swimming and more! This class will focus on some of the strength needed for these activities. Mindi loves paddle boarding, so she will show you some of the exercises that help her with that activity! Let's work the whole body and have some fun with Summertime!

Mat - stretch band or leggings to use as a stretch band
Reformer - no props

See ya in class,
Mindi

SUMMER SUMMER SUMMERTIME

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Summertime brings all types of fun activities such as paddle boarding, hiking, biking, swimming and more! This class will focus on some of the strength needed for these activities. Mindi loves paddle boarding, so she will show you some of the exercises that help her with that activity! Let's work the whole body and have some fun with Summertime!

See ya in class,
Mindi

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, stretch band or leggings to use as a stretch band 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.


HAPPY FEET

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

During our lives, our feet carry us up to 100.000 miles (160.000 km)! I would say "Great job!". Unfortunately we often don´t give them the attention they deserve. Joe Pilates saw the importance of foot strength and mobility and invented special appartuses and exercises like for example Foot Corrector and Footwork.

In this week's classes on Mat and Reformer we are going to focus on integrating our feet in our routines. With strong feet that are mobile and stabilizing we gain a healthy posture, a better circulation and good connection to our Thass! Lets get started.

Mat Props: Mat, firm small ball (for example tennis ball), small towel
Reformer Props: Magic Circle, 2 Yoga blocks (both not absolutely necessary!)

See you in class,
Yasmin

BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Wondering when to breathe in an exercise? If you're new to Pilates I don't love to overwhelm you with instructions on how to do an exercise, what to focus on AND when to breathe. So, if you're brand new please don't let the breath cues overwhelm you. Please just keep breathing. If you've been doing Pilates for a while, this week focus on your breath. Does it help you get more out of an exercise?

Also, if possible, breathe in and out through your nose.

No props needed.

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.


TREE HUGGERS UNITE

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Tree & Hug a Tree are 2 of my favorite Pilates exercises! They both have fun variations, promote amazing posture, and help us feel more powerful every time we do them. Let’s increase our connections to these 2 faves!

You’ll need a Magic Circle. A ball or a pillow can be used as a substitute.

See you in class,
Tami

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