What is Pilates? And WHY YOU SHOULD BE DOING PILATES

Hi, I’m Lesley Logan and I want to tell you how much Pilates changed my life. It made me taller, stronger, it improved my flexibility in ways that balanced my strength and made sure I had zero injuries as a runner. And at the end of this video, you might just thank me because Pilates could change your life too.

  • Author: Lesley Logan
  • June 18, 2023
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surprising benefits of Pilates. why you should be doing pilates online pilates classes
surprising benefits of Pilates. why you should be doing pilates online pilates classes

How much Pilates changed my life

Hi, I’m Lesley Logan and I want to tell you how much Pilates changed my life. It made me taller, and stronger, it improved my flexibility in ways that balanced my strength and made sure I had zero injuries as a runner. And at the end of this video, you might just thank me because Pilates could change your life too.

Welcome to OnlinePilatesClasses.com™, the most supportive Pilates-loving community across the globe. Enjoy new weekly classes from our amazing teachers. Download the OnlinePlilatesClasses.com™ app today.

Benefits that you can have when you start Pilates

Hey there, Lesley Logan, here, founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com™. And let me just tell you, I went to my first Pilates class back in 2005. And I thought no way is it what all the hype is about. Well, I was wrong. In fact, it was so much more than what the hype was about. And I left feeling taller and stronger after one class. But then after this many years of doing Pilates, what I’ve seen is incredible. It is backed by science. And I have seen it happen not just in my practice, but in all the people who’ve come through OnlinePilatesClasses.com™. And so I’m gonna go into all the benefits that you can have when you start Pilates.

So let’s talk about those physical benefits. First, cognitive function, that’s gonna be incredibly awesome for you. Then, we also are going to have improved posture. Why? Because we have a stronger core and your core is not just the muscles in the front, it’s the muscle on your shoulders, your front, your back, and your hips. A reduction of injuries. But also, if you have an injury, Pilates can be a rehabilitative practice for you. You’ll have a reduction in back pain, and reduced menstrual pain. You also will see that you’re going to have much more flexibility, and a balance of your imbalances, which means you’re going to see improvement in the sports that you do, the other workouts that you do. For more information about the truth about Pilates, make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel, because we’re gonna have a video for that.

Let’s talk about those mental benefits. So first of all, a reduction of anxiety and decrease in stress, you’re also going to have this mental focus boost, you’ll have a mood boost, you’re gonna have increased motivation. And it’s very intellectually challenging. If you’re wanting to feel these benefits right now make sure you check out our full-length workouts here on the channel.

How Pilates is a movement for life

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Alright, so let’s talk about how Pilates is a movement for life. At OPC, we believe Pilates helps you do life better. And it does this because it’s never Pilates versus. So, it’s not like you have to supplement Pilates for something you already love. In fact, it’s a Pilates AND. So if you’re a runner, notice how Pilates will actually improve your speed but also decrease your strain on your muscles, your joints and injuries. Right? If you’re a weight trainer, a yogi, if there’s already a fitness modality you love, Pilates is actually just going to improve what you’re doing there. Why? Because it balances your imbalances. Right, it actually takes those muscles that you overwork, and it works with the ones that you underwork. And then you actually have this nice overall balance in your entire body. Pilates is also a way that helps you really connect your mind to your body. Oftentimes, we’re walking around thinking our thoughts or feeling our pains in our body. But we actually get to put the two together in a workout. Because when you’re doing Pilates, you actually cannot think about anything else that’s going on in your life. You can only focus on what’s moving where, where am I feeling this.

A community that helps you prioritize yourself first

But to get all of these things we’ve talked about today, you really need to have a community, you need to have some help and support that helps you prioritize yourself first. Let’s be honest, it can be really hard to do that with everything going on in your life. And what we pride ourselves in over at OPC is our community because our community helps you show up even when you don’t want to. It reminds you why you are there. And we help our community out by supporting you with new classes every single week as members. We take the old ones away, which means we help hold you accountable to showing up and taking that class as many times as you can. We also believe that finishing is optional. So if you only have 15 minutes, take 15 minutes of the class we have, and then celebrate what you did do.

Pilates meets you where you are

At OPC, we make sure that Pilates meets you where you are, no matter what level you’re at, we actually can help you replace any exercises that you’re not able to do yet with ones that you can do. And we also have classes on the Reformer, the Wunda chair, the Tower or Cadillac. So make sure you check out How OPC works here. So feel free to enjoy our full-length workouts here on the YouTube channel. But for our OPC members, you get new classes every single week. And you can share your questions your a-ha moments, the connections you made in our members-only group, and you can get feedback on your form. And every single month, when we offer the live workout, you could join us and hang out with us and we can connect all together there.

If you think that OPC and our amazing community can support your practice, well, we hope you join us. If you have any questions make sure you join my YouTube Live every Sunday at 9am Pacific Time. It’s one hour after we drop new videos for you each week here on this YouTube channel. So make sure you subscribe and turn on your notifications so you never miss anything from us.

I’m so excited to meet you Pilates has changed my life and I can’t wait for it to change yours too. I’m here for you. I answer all of my comments. You can leave them below and I’ll see you on the next one.

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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Swan & Swimming on the mat - online Pilates classes

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.

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

WE GOT THE BEAT

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Alright loves, while we don't often talk about Grasshopper on the Mat or Reformer it is something we can beat those heels together on. And, another great way to challenge our connections. This week we are going to focus on our midline. And we are going to find different ways to show that we got that beat!

On the Mat have a magic circle or ball nearby to find our midline connections. On the Reformer have a ball nearby for some warm ups.

See you in class,

xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a Magic Circle or ball 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 reformer!

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

WANNA BE A BALLER?

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

This week's workout is 30 minute reformer and mat with the small Pilates ball! Get ready to work! The ball adds a stability challenge on the reformer and spices up the classic, essential exercises. You'll also get extra outer hip recruitment, inner thigh work and more glute activation by adding in the ball. I hope you have a great time with this fun workout and feel like a baller afterwards!

If you do not have a small Pilates ball you can use a rolled up bath towel.

See you in class,

Mindi

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a Pilates ball or rolled up bath towel and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a Pilates ball or rolled up bath towel and a reformer!

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

ROW WITH ME NOW

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Rowing exercises are quite challenging on the Reformer. They can be done on the mat as well. But if you're missing the connections they can be all choreography and no core. So, this week we'll be focusing on the Mat how the Mat exercises prep us for a fabulous Rowing. And on the Reformer how they warm us up but then reveal themselves throughout the session.

Basically, you're rowing even when you're not!

On the Mat, you'll want 1 or 2 lb weights. Over the Reformer if you're new to rowing have them on the side.

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, 1 or 2 lb weights and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, 1 or 2 lb weights and a reformer!

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

BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

While I never saw that movie growing up I was thinking about back bends. And how to build up to them. Now, if you're like LL I'm off back extension. Do not worry. This class will still have tall backs, side bends, twists and flexion of course. So skip what you can't do.

Whatever level of extension you can do we are going to take it and make it longer! And for some of my super flexy people, it might feel like you're not gumby anymore. However, we will create the strongest back bends ever! Always.

Props needed on the mat a bolster or a small barrel. On the Reformer we won't need a prop but we will be using our shortbox to focus on extension.

See ya in class!

xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a bolster or a small barrel and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, shortbox 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.

STUDIO 54!

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

Tami is turning 54 this month! And we are going to bring the best that Studio 54 had to offer to all of our month-long classes. The only rules for that iconic club were:

1. Be Your Grandest Self
2. Have Fun
3. No polyester Shirts!

Doesn’t that sound just like just like OPC?

*Note: I’m thinking the focus is on being grand…finding ways to expand our range of movement throughout the exercises, on all the equipment and the Mat.

Let’s be our grandest as we expand our range of motion on the Wunda! We’ll be using variations of the Pull Up (a very centering exercise) to power us up & out to a special full range exercise at the end! To all the October babies A Happy Birthday Indeed!

Wunda Chair prop: Please bring a pair of light weights (1-3lbs) to class!

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

DE-RANGED

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

We spend a lot of time in life looking ahead to what’s next and/or working towards something instead of celebrating where we are in the current moment. We forget to look back and see how far we’ve come.

It got the OPC crew thinking about how we tend to do this with our Pilates practice, too. We are always working towards something…the nemesis exercise, a higher lift in an exercise, a longer reach, a stronger connection, etc.

How about we spend some time this month celebrating where we are each day? And maybe we even take ourselves back a touch and become a bit De-RANGED from our current practice?

“De-Ranged” meaning we reduce our range of motion and observe what happens. Reducing our range may help us gain some insights about ourselves we can use to take our practice farther this month and into the beyond.

This month, we are challenging ourselves and YOU to take a look at where you are while you decrease your range and see if you learn something about yourself - without ANY judgment!

Try asking yourself some of the questions below throughout your practice:

  • Is this making the exercise more or less challenging?
  • Is this making things more or less stable?
  • Am I finding a connection a bit more easily or is it harder?
  • Am I finding a muscle that is trying to take over the exercise?
  • Am I finding I have to focus more to get a muscle to engage/connect?
  • Am I finding an area that is a bit tight and needs a little more stretch?

Feel free to share your reflections and ask us questions this month if you are wondering what any of this means in your body!

Props needed:
For the Cadillac, have a 2x4 (Kuna board) and the long box (from the reformer)

For the Reformer: small ball, resistance band, and small weights. Resistance band will be optional and is only for 1 exercise.

For the Chair, just you and your Wunda chair.

For the Mat, thera band and weights.

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋