It’s a common cue in any Pilates class and exercise for a teacher to ask you to “find your length” or, reach in two directions. But, you are also supposed to keep everything connected at the same time.

In this week’s mat pilates class we will explore finding the length in our bodies but without letting it all hang out!

Can’t wait to hear how this feels for you!

See you on your mat!

xx-LL

It’s easy to Tricep press your way through Shave on the Reformer. But, Shave is an integral exercise for so much of what we do in our Pilates practice! On the Reformer we’ll explore all the ways you can shave. And on the Mat we’ll bring our rowing in with some 1lb or 2lb weights and how the connecting your arms to your back increases your full body connection.

See ya in class,

xx-LL

I know that for many of us (depending on where you live in the world) this past weekend has signified “fall” and so while we may not be heading to the beach for some beach volleyball this week we are going to enjoy squeezing, rolling, holding and more with a ball. Whether you’re hitting the mat, reformer or both we’ll let the ball teach us where we let go of our midline, lean back too far in our flexion and how we can gather more strength.

If you don’t have a ball for most of the exercises a thick pillow, yoga block or magic circle (maybe have all on hand).

See you in class,

xx-LL

Good morning, it’s (almost) the final class of our retreat and today I asked our group what they want to do in this class. After a week of doing Pilates every day, there are just some exercises that our bodies haven’t opened up to yet and some that they really love. So before we do class I’m going to ask them what they want and that is what class will be about – right there on the fly!

So in 2019 you have to just come and join us!

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 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

Sometimes you only have 10 min. to workout and you think, “It’s not enough I won’t do anything. I can do my workout tomorrow.” But, then tomorrow comes and more things come up.

This week’s class is sort of in 3 sections – especially, on the Mat. Of course I want you to do all 30 min. but if you only have 10 min. a day, try doing it in 3 parts. I bet you end up doing it all at once (I sure hope you do)!

See you in class!

xx~LL

In this week’s class, LL wants you to feel your body go in two different directions. Normally in life, we prefer not to be pulled all over the place but in this case, on your Pilates mat, you will love how this tug of war feels inside your body. Plus, connecting your body to Pilates and your mind on your mat will allow the outside world to disappear. So, what are you waiting for? Put those people vying for your attention on hold. Snag some floor space and enjoy the work of Pilates in your body.

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 most of us are always looking to shed the weight whether physical or figurative. But, this week, I do want to bring a little weight into our practice. Just a little bit. Like 1lb or 2 lbs.

If you’ve got little hand weights bring them with you. If you’re traveling or at your office and you don’t no worries! The mind is a beautiful thing. Grab your real or imaginary hand weights and join me as we explore what a little weight can do for our Pilates practice.

xx-LL

Have you ever heard that the exercises you don’t like you should do twice? Well, I say it all the time and then one day my teacher Jay Grimes heard me say how I don’t like an exercise and he told me to do it twice everyday!! Ha, a taste of my own medicine.

This week on the Mat we will find ways to fall in love with the Leg Pulls, you know the two exercises you love to forget exist. And, then over on our Reformer we will use our practice to prepare us for the Control Push ups! Don’t worry, if you know you don’t do these two exercises I give plenty of ideas to keep you flowing until you’re ready to take them on.

xx~LL

P.S. Bonus points for those who can count how many times I said the Control Push Ups name incorrectly! #perfectlyimperfect

While not everyone has a set of hand weights laying around if you do grab them. If you don’t or you have a shoulder or neck injury skip the weights and join in for class anyway. Props are only a suggestion to help you feel something different in your mat practice.

xx-LL

Often we think about what we can’t do, the modifications we need to make for ourselves, the right areas that feel like limitations or simply the stress of the day wearing on us and making us feel like we are not as strong as we usually are.

This week’s class is my “what can I do” class. Can you do the exercise you usually skip?

Can you go a little deeper?

Can you try something new?

Will you surprise yourself?

I bet you will!

I did as I filmed this week’s class.

xx-LL

I know you’ve been so focused on your reach, connecting to your center, equal stretch and strength. But, how often are you thinking about your wrists?

This week on the Mat we’ll play with the thera-band and weights and how holding them affects our arm-to-back-to-center connection. And, on the Reformer we have lots to talk about!

See you in class,

xx~LL

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