A wall is an excellent source of feedback. It’s the prop we all have handy and it can help us dive deeper into our own practice. In this weeks Mat class we use the wall to give us information and to support us in much of our practice. On the Reformer we use the idea of the “wall” as our carriage. How can our legs use the wall? Our feet use the floor?

Get ready to use your imagination!!

xx~LL

Aloha, welcome to the last full day of our retreat. This morning’s class is going to focus on the crab. Because you can crab sooner than you think! So all of the class is going to lead us up to get into that exercise.

I hope you enjoy it!

xx-LL

It’s that time of year again Pilates lovers! It’s March Matness and that means all 34 exercises all month long. BUT what if you are not into some of the 34? What if you’re not going overhead or you’re new and you’re still working on that Roll up? This week’s class is going to be full of prep’s for all the 34 exercises so that each week you can sub in your favorite and still enjoy a good time.

See you on your Mat

xx-LL

The midline is an often underused area of our bodies. It’s easy to think you are squeezing your inner thighs only to find out when you get to the shoulder bridge that your knees roll out and you’re not engaging your inner thighs at all!

This week LL focuses on finding that inner thigh connection with or without a prop. She uses a magic circle. You can use one if you have one or a squishy ball or yoga block will work as well. If you don’t have any props you won’t need them. Your imagination and attention to detail will wake up your inner thighs as well.

xx-LL

After many requests for more Upstretch class and more down stretch class, this weeks class will focus on both reaches! On the Mat we will first find our Up and Down Reach (aka Stretch) and then thread that throughout the class. If you have a soft ball or cushion it’ll help in the beginning.

On our Reformer we will find these reaches in the beginning and then use them to challenge some of the exercises we don’t always get to do. If you have 1lb weights grab them just in case you decide to do the modification.

xx~LL

I know for some going upside down seems like it will NEVER happen. And for others it’s like, “can we do that again!?”

This week’s class we start with several preps to help hoist you up. And while we do spend some time going upside down you’ll find that you can get a little help from other exercises.

If you think NO I CAN’T GO UPSIDE DOWN so you’re gonna skip this class….login, press play and do what you can. There’s a lot of ideas and options in here.

See ya in class and maybe even upside down!

xx~LL

Let’s grab those 1 lb. weights (or lighter) and see how they help us connect to our center even more! If you don’t have weights around, do not worry. You can do a lot with your own imagination or grab some water bottles. We will be using the weights to do some of the OPC member fav’s: Rowing, Pulling Straps and Teaser. You can do all of these without props too.

On the Reformer we will also explore how using weights vs. straps connects us to our center more.

See you in class,

xx~LL

It’s no secret we are a society that is beginning to round forward. Standing tall or pulling your shoulders back can only do so much. We have to strengthen the body to hold ourselves up so we don’t have to think about it all day and every day.

Today’s class with LL requires no props and if you have a mat great but as long as you have enough floor space to lay down and reach your arms out you are good to go. So, no excuses for missing 30 min to get Pilates in your body. You’ll be paying extra attention to your back muscles and your outer hips. Most of our workouts and lives do not give the side bodies enough attention. Today you will give these muscles the love and strength they deserve.

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

We spend a lot of time focusing on the “actions” of the exercises and to a good amount the set ups. But, it’s easy to skip or “rest” through the transitions. And, something so special about Pilates is that there are transitions!

I had a teacher that for a while would not let me do the exercise if I lost my connection to my center as I transitioned. Yep, it was tough!

I promise this class will be fun and full of explorations. And I hope you find some transitions you like that you can keep in your Pilates bag and use in future classes!

Nothing needed extra for either the Mat or the Reformer class. Just bring your fabulous self!

See ya in class,

xx~LL

It’s soo easy to feel like your legs just hang off your hip flexors, pull on your back and make you feel like you’re two halves instead of a whole. So, in this weeks Mat and Reformer classes we are going to explore where are legs are moving from and how that helps us in each of our exercises. I’m bringing in some of the subscriber favorites like one leg teaser and one leg stomach massage.

See you in class!

xx~LL

While Tree is often an unsung hero of the Reformer it’s rarely done on the Mat. But, when it is its effects are amazing!!!

Don’t worry, if you have no idea what the Tree is we will go over it at the beginning and enjoy its effects for the rest of class!

Are you ready to fall in love with the Tree?

xx-LL

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to get Teaser over with sooner? Or, maybe not have to think about Knee Stretches coming up the whole class… well, let’s have some fun and do our series backwards!

You won’t need any props but you will need to pay attention because this order is gonna be… well… backwards!

See ya in class or should I sayy… ssalc ni ay eeS?

xx~LL

Ok, so I know that title is bizarre but I didn’t want you to see Jackknife and skip this week. Here’s the thing, I LOVE this exercise but it’s not for everyone and if you’re not going overhead I wanted you to know I still have a class for you. SO! We are going to add the Double Straight Leg Stretch to class even though its March Matness and this way we can use the beauty of both to take us through our mat practice.

Pilates will always meet you where you are! Are you ready?

xx-LL

I know it’s not just me. But, have you ever noticed how many exercises start with “single leg” and if they don’t how many exercises are one sided. It’s a lot!

And, why is that? Why so much emphasis on doing asymmetrical work? Well, as you know, we don’t do Pilates to do Pilates better. We do it to do life better! And so much of life is one-sided!

So, let’s rock what we got!

On our Mat and Reformer, we will explore more of the asymmetrical exercises and then challenge what we’ve learned by doing exercises that are symmetrical. You may have to work a bit more through one side!

See ya in class,

xx~LL