Bicycling with Scissors

I really think you can Up Stretch sooner than you think. And, I know my Mat-only lovers are wondering… Upstretch? What? Don’t worry, you know it! You do it in many forms on the Mat, but we call it Double Straight Leg Stretch or Jackknife. So, let’s get up in our Upstretch and we’ll explore how the Mat exercises truly do prepare you for some of the complicated Reformer exercises.

See you on the Upside

xx~LL

Elephant is one of the toughest exercises for me. The lift, the reach and against gravity! AHH! So, this week, let’s not only work on our Elephant on the Reformer but also all the places where the Elephant exists!

xx~LL

There is lots of cues regarding the shoulders. Too often “shoulders down” is a quick fix cue thrown out there. Or, even, “don’t use your shoulders…”. But, what does it feel like to have your shoulders connected? Is it down? Is it back? How will it feel to simply focus on the shoulders throughout the whole mat workout? Well, take this week’s class and find out! I can tell you I can feel the effects after just one time doing this class. Enjoy your shoulder explorations!

See you on your mat,

xx-LL

This week’s class is inspired by the OG Rolling Back. We’ll play with the version as it is in Joseph Pilates book Return to Life and how it can help feed the rest of our Mat practice. We will also play with the Return to Life versions of a few other exercises as March Matness continues!

xx-LL

Ps have you read the book? It’s fun to read more than once!

Another request from the OPC members group is this week’s class inspo! Keep posting the questions you have in the group as they help me create new classes around what you need and want!

Shoulder Bridge can seem like a piece of cake from first glance. But, then you get in there and it’s not what you think!

Should you use the hands under the hips? What if you can’t get them under you? What if it hurts your wrists? And, then, there’s the hips dropping, the leg lower and lifting…it’s harder than we think!

So, this week on the mat we will deconstruct Your Shoulder Bridge and find something that works for you and you can build upon. And, on the Reformer we will use the springs and straps to connect our back side and open our front side!

See you in class

xx~LL

I don’t know about you but this is the hardest part of the holidays. I can get through Halloween and Thanksgiving, but my will power not to indulge at every party is waning.

Thankfully, all year long we have been practicing quality over quantity in our Pilates practice and that applies to party treats too!

This week, we will get through the whole mat in 30 min (complete with modifications if needed) because a little of each exercise will go a long way in our Pilates practice.

xx-LL

It’s time to switch things up again! I saw in the FB group that people wanted another “freaky Friday” where we do the Mat on the Reformer and the Reformer on the Mat. Sooo it’s happening!

Grab 1 or 2 lb. weights for the Mat work if you have them. If not I’ve had clients on zoom using cold beers and cans of Garbanzo beans. Get creative!

On the Reformer just be ready for a weird flow!

It’s time to switch things up.

See ya in class,

xx-LL

It’s easy to think Pilates is about the abs. I mean, when we talk about the center, that’s what we think. But, all of the exercises require us to connect to our back too! The center is the muscles around your pelvis, shoulder girdle and everything in between. In this week’s classes, we will think about what we are doing to support, connect and strengthen our back! 

On the Reformer you’ll fill the springs, handles, carriage and more, help you wake up, stretch and strengthen your back. On the Mat we will use the wall to help us understand where we are in a spine that day, as well as stretch and strengthen your back. And, especially while many of us celebrate the holidays, access to a wall is everywhere. 

See you in class!

xx~LL

The other day in the OPC members only group I had a request for Snake and Twist. I won’t go naming names but well, I know, Snake and Twist are not everyones cup of tea! However, you know that we make sure to set ourselves up for success! And this weeks class is no different.

In the Mat class we’ll be twisting our hearts out and working from our seat. And on the Reformer the entire class leads up to our Snake and Twist attempts. So, even if you don’t snake with me you’ll get a strong workout in until the end. And, you can do the Mat version alongside us.

If you need more make sure to check out the Snake and Twist tutorial!

xx~LL

In life, balance is essential. And, not just so you can balance on one leg to do Tree Pose in Yoga or some other one-legged standing pose in Pilates or fitness. Actually, in your day to day life you have to stand on one leg to put on your pants, get into your car or kick a bag!

We feel how every exercise helps ready us for the Kneeling Side Kicks. You’ll feel stronger when class is over!

xx-LL

Ever realize how hard it is to just get started? Once we get going it’s so much easier. When I wake up, I wonder – should run that day? If I will have time (even though I wake up early enough to make sure I can run)… But, once I am running it’s easier to keep going. The same could be true for you and your Pilates practice.

Maybe you plan to take class several times this week but you find yourself putting it off until tomorrow. Or, the next day. Maybe later will be better. Even though you know you’re going to feel better once it’s over.

This week, I thought it could be fun to practice starting at the beginning. Focusing on the “start” position of each exercise and then flowing through. Maybe this will help us practice “getting going.”

Now, the only you have to do is login and press play and then we can begin!

xx~LL

Don’t worry we won’t do a 100 hundreds… but what if we did enough thinking and loving of the 100s for a week that maybe we didn’t go “ugh the 100” most of the time? What if we did it enough that we could see the beauty in the 100?

This week, whether you are on the Mat or the Reformer, all ya need is you, your breath and a tiny bit of love for the 100.

See ya in class,

xx-LL

Aloha, Arlene here! This is my studio Bodywork & Pilates in Maui, Hawaii. We’re to have an amazing mat class so I’m glad you can join us!

I’m going to go over getting more length in your spine and pulling in your abs. I’m going to be throwing in some extra teasers in there.

Arlene

Joseph Pilates created the Mat work first, then saw how hard it was for people (I mean, you know) and designed the Reformer. In this week’s mat class we’ll take some of the exercises from last week and continue to add on! If you’ve never been on a Reformer don’t worry. The Reformer exercises were born from the Mat so you’ll recognize a lot of the spine shapes.

See you on your Reforming mat,

xx-LL

The Seal! Typically considered a harder version of Rolling Like a Ball. But, is it? Or, is it a time for you to shine?

I know for me the first time I did the seal I thought it was a funny exercise. I wondered why we even did it. And, then my teacher Jay Grimes reminded me that its a time to show off. To show that you can clap your legs in and out while maintaining balance. And not just at the top of the Seal but at the upside down part too!

Are you ready to let your Seal shine? Let’s Seal it Off together this week!

xx-LL