Hi, this is Arlene. Welcome to my studio Bodywork & Pilates on our Pilates Retreat Maui!

This is day two of our retreat and we just had an amazing day of a morning mat class, hiking, an extraordinary brunch and now we’re about to get started with our evening mat class.

So glad you can join us!

Arlene

If you’re not familiar with the full Pilates studio apparatus, you might be thinking, “What is a barrel?” Well, don’t worry! You don’t need to run out and get this just yet. Although, after this week’s classes, you may want one for yourself.

I’m obsessed with the Spine Corrector, we have a whole play list on it at OPC and there are several exercises we can apply to our Mat and Reformer classes. This week, if you have foam roller or yoga bolster, squishy ball or block (that would be the least enjoyable one), bring them to class and we will kick off class with a yummy series and see how it sets us up for our entire flow!

See you in class,

xx~LL

Are you ready for a little magic? I know I am! It has been HOT here and so motivating to workout is not the easiest thing. But, thankfully, the mat can be done in 30 min or less. And this week’s class is no different!

This week, I’ve brought in the Magic Circle. But, you don’t have to have one to still get your Pilates and sweat on! If you have a ball or block grab it and if you have none then I’ve got some tips for you too.

Hope you enjoy it and I’ll see you next week where we see just what we can do when we “pull” a little more!

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

Opening your front without closing your back!

This week’s class is a special request from one of YOU! While I don’t work hours in front of my computer I too am on my devices or working hours rounded forwarded working with a client.

In today’s day, it’s more common that we are rounding forward than sitting or standing tall. But, how do you open your chest without crunching your shoulders blades onto your back and causing your shoulders to rise into your ears?

This week’s class is going to take a tour through our regular mat order but with an open front and a wide back!

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

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

It’s my bday week and to celebrate this week’s classes focus on my favorite ways to do each exercise, my favorite props and the exercises I never skip! It’s a Pilates party!

On the Mat please have a set of squishy ball nearby and on the Reformer we will be trying to fit in more exercises than usual. So, please feel free to pause me watch and then flow the first time you take it.

Let’s party!

xx~LL

Let’s find out how we can work our midline without losing our outer thighs too! On the Mat, we’ll use the Magic Circle for a few exercises to discover what our midline feels like when it’s working. On the Reformer, we’ll use the Foot Bar and springs to discover our inner strength not just our “go-to” muscles!

Let’s do this!

xx~LL

Hey hey, if you’ve got a magic circle get it! If you don’t, you will be able to use a ball for some things. In this week’s class, I want the Magic Circle to support us where it can. Sometimes the circle gets a bad rap.

I mean, think about all the things you’ve called your magic circle…

But, there are a few ways it can support us.

On the Mat we’ll begin with it on the 100 and then sprinkle it in throughout our practice. On the Reformer we’ll use it a few times to find some additional ways to feel, explore or even try and exercise out.

See you in class,

xx~LL

Whenever LL hears that Pilates is easy or that an exercise isn’t hard she knows that there is zero control happening. The body is moving but it’s basically just doing the choreography. When you are doing Pilates with control and a bit of focus on precision every exercise works the whole body.

This week LL focuses on what’s moving where and really paying attention to even what’s not supposed to be moving. Get ready to ask yourself some questions and feel Pilates in your body at a deeper level.

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

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

It’s easy to think that Rolling like a ball is just a back massage. Or that Seal is weird – and don’t even try open leg rocker. But…. there is so much good stuff happening in these rolling exercises. And even if you think your tailbone will hate it, trust me, if you’re doing it right you will not be perching on your coccyx.

Grab a mat (and if you are sensitive maybe another one or a small folded blanket) and get ready to feel the full body strength of all the rolling exercises. Understanding Pilates rolling exercises will change your entire Pilates practice. Are you ready?

xx-LL

Ok, truth is that hip circles are just plain hard! And, even when you are strong enough they are hard. I’m not sure the day will come for me or for you where we go “Yeah!!! Hip Circles!” But, I do believe that we can “get” them.

So, in this week’s class it’s time to take some time thinking about where the circles come from and why we do them!

xx-LL