3 Class Intro to Mat Pilates with Lesley Logan

3 Class Intro to Mat Pilates with Lesley Logan

Welcome!

So, you’re curious about Pilates, huh? I’m happy to help you get started!

I’m Lesley Logan, and I’ve been teaching Pilates around the world for 11 years now. After completing my 600-hour mat training and two higher level masters programs (one with a man who studied directly with Joseph Pilates himself) I wanted to build something that you could take with you wherever you go, so I started offering these online classes. Whether you’re in the studio, at home or in your hotel room, I know you’ll love them.

This 3 class introduction to Mat Pilates course was designed for beginners who are still learning the exercises and how they should feel in your body. You won’t need any fancy equipment, and the classes are just under 15 minutes long.

DM me if you have any questions!

xx-LL

WHAT DOES CLASS LOOK LIKE?

Below is a 5 minute sample clip of one of Lesley’s weekly online mat classes. The 3 beginner classes will look like this.

3 QUICK CLASSES TO BUILD YOUR FOUNDATION

LEARN THE PILATES BASICS

Pilates might seem overwhelming if you were taking a class and they are just calling out the names of the exercises. Well, this course will bring you up to speed in just under 45 minutes.

CLASSES ARE SHORT

You won’t have to set aside too much time to begin building your Pilates foundation. These three classes are just under 15 minutes each.

TAKE CLASS ON ANY DEVICE

Tablet? Phone? Desktop? No problem. You can easily login and take class on any device at a time that fits your schedule.

IT’S ONLY $39 ON PURPOSE

My goal is for everybody to take Pilates, and I wanted to make sure that price wasn’t a reason not to sign up. (Yes, that’s a double negative.) That makes these only $13 per class!

GET STARTED

TAKE CLASS

CLASS 1

Welcome to your first Pilates Mat class! In this class we will focus on finding your center and your seat. Introducing a lot of the basic Pilates exercises and shapes and doing preps that you can incorporate in any Pilates class when you’re not ready for the next variation.

Here’s a list of the exercises we’ll be tackling, with links to videos and explanations for each in our free tutorials section. Note that some covered in the intro class are prep versions of the full exercise. Prep for the 100, 100 (legs down variation)1/2 Roll Back, Roll Up PrepSingle Leg CircleRolling Like a BallSingle Leg StretchDouble Leg Stretch (legs-in variation)Swan prepSide leg kickPlank, Forearm Plank or All Fours.

Registrants-Only-Content-Online-Pilates-Classes

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CLASS 2

Now that you’ve done the first class, this class will repeat some of the exercises you learned already and will continue to add on. We will flow through the exercises you are repeating and take our time exploring new exercises – always giving you the opportunity to repeat an exercise that feels good to you in place of one you may not be ready for yet. These exercises will help strengthen you for our next class and for the classes you take beyond today.

In this second class we’re going to review all the exercises from the first class, but will also learn Elbow SlipCriss Cross PrepSpine Stretch Forward and Shoulder Bridge.

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CLASS 3

Here we go! This final intro class will continue to build on what you know, add in some more intermediate version of the exercises you’ve been practicing and allow you to make the choice to continue to practice the exercises you like or try the new versions. After this class you’ll be able to try out an all-levels Pilates class and feel confident that you can keep moving even if an exercise is not yet right for you!

This third class will incorporate everything from class 1 and class 2, but we will also be learning Single Straight Leg Stretch (with modifications)Double Straight Leg Stretch (with modifications)SawSide Kick SeriesTeaser PrepKneeling Side Kicks and Seal.

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Not sure if you’re ready for class?

OnlinePilatesClasses.com brought you the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise video tutorials, where Lesley breaks down individual exercises in 3 to 5 minute videos.

Still learning? Lesley has free Pilates exercise video tutorials at OnlinePilatesClasses.com

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 💋