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

Join Lesley Logan for a 30 min Pilates mat class designed for you to do anywhere you can lay down! Seriously, Pilates was designed on the mat first. Sometimes we can’t get to a studio, can’t leave the house, office or we are off traveling. Lesley’s mat class is perfect for your 30 min window dedicated to all things you. Turn your notifications off and lay out your mat (or even a towel) and get connected to your mat.

Your mat is just like a piece of equipment. It gives you feedback on what’s touching, not touching and supports your movements. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get connected!

xx-LL

Ok, so maybe ‘ultimate’ is a strong word but it’s up there. As we finish off our month of March Matness and conclude the tour of the original 34 in the OG style of Joe P., I think it’s worth really taking a good feel of the Side Bend. And, have no fear there will be options if the idea of standing on one arm and the side of your feet has you thinking of skipping this week.

See you on your mat,

xx-LL

This week’s class is inspired by every person who has rocked back and not rocked right back up. It happens. It seems like such an easy exercise when you rock back and it’s almost shocking you can’t rock back up right? But, the truth is this rolling exercise is more than rocking back and forth. There are some key things you can do in the exercise to make it happen. And, there are pieces throughout the mat work that help teach your body how to rock back and right back up.

This week let’s roll that open leg rocker!

See you on your mat,

xx-LL

Are Single Leg Circles a Circle? What about Hip circles? And how many other exercises do we create a circle? Or, are we simply twisting? Let’s investigate how each of these exercises sets us up for the next!

xx-LL

This week we’ll be doing our Reformer exercises on the Mat and the Mat exercise on the Reformer. If you have never done Pilates on a Reformer, there may be some exercise that seem odd to you. And, if you are always choosing our Reformer classes instead of the Mat, you might want to skip this week. But, I really want you to feel how the entire Pilates method works together. How the Reformer can support you and the Mat can challenge you.

On the mat have a set of 1 lb. weights nearby (if you have them it’s not necessary). Reformer lovers you won’t need any extra props just pay attention to different spring settings and flows.

See you in class!

xx~LL

By request, we are starting an exploration of extension. This will be one of many that we do. This week, we explore what it means to find length in the spine without doing massive backbends. I used to think that extension could only exist if my feet were touching my head. But, after lots of studying in my own body, I have found that the more I allow the extension to stay away from my lower back and work its way up my spine the more strength I feel in my body. In this week’s class enjoy the mini extension exploration. And, take it a few times because the thing about relearning extension is the more you do it the more your body remembers!

See you on your mat,

xx-LL

It’s been awhile since I have been able to see peoples’ eyes in real time roll out loud when I say Neck Pull! But, that doesn’t mean I believe for a second its had a sudden growth in team Neck Pull. It’s a tricky exercise. It takes the difficulty of the Roll Up and adds the weight of your arms and takes away the strength of your midline. But, it’s so good you def don’t want to be skipping it. So this week, on your Mat and Reformer we will thread this exercise through both workouts.

If you have a Magic Circle – or Theraband you can tie to be a circle – then def have it handy for the Mat. No extra props needed for the Reformer.

See ya in class,

xx-LL

P.S. This was a pseudo request from our on fire FB group!

The other day in our OPC members only group I had a request for Hip Circles being a theme. And so, if you don’t love this theme…do it anyways! haha!

My friends, some exercises in Pilates are teaching tools for our bodies. They strengthen or stretch us. And other exercises are revealers. They show us where we still need work. Hip Circles is one of those exercises.

In our Mat practice, we will use every exercise to prepare us to FLOW through our Hip Circles. On the Reformer, we will use the equipment to help us strengthen, stretch and make our Mat work a flow we enjoy!

See ya in class!

xx~LL

So, this week, I hope you are ready to connect to your seat! Because we will use some of my favorite ways to feel your booty in both your Mat and Reformer work.

For the Mat if you have a Magic circle bring it. If not a ball or your amazing imagination will do. We will start the class with some ways to wake up your seat and connect more to your center.

On the Reformer we will play around with what to press more into or less into to find your seat as we flow from start to finish. My hope is that at the end of the week you and your thut (you know your butt below the butt) have found each other created a relationship and are ready to flow.

xx~LL

P.S. What was your favorite thuttocks connection? Share in the comments below!

Behind our backs no one wants anyone talking about them behind their back, but the good news about this week’s class is we are about to make your back body that much stronger! We’ll be talking length, strength, where that extension is and where it isn’t. So get ready for more Swan, Single Leg Kick, Grasshopper and more!

If you have a Magic Circle or ball handy, grab it for the very beginning connections. If you don’t have one, something you can press into will be fine.

See your back in class,

xx-LL

I think it’s important to be grateful for what we can do. And so, whether you’re in the States trying to put enough cranberries on that dry turkey or you’re outside the States wondering why we try so hard to make dry turkey taste good, we can all give Planks…ermm Thanks!

On the Mat, we will explore what we are rocking, rolling and how long our Plank is. And, on the Reformer, we will be grateful for the support of the springs, carriage and more as we see how many planks we can fit into this flow.

See ya in class,

xx~LL

P.S. I am super grateful for each of you!

The weight pole aka bar in the Pilates Mat can be used for more than just the Roll Up and the Thigh Stretch. In fact, it’s purpose in those two exercises can be a tool for many different Pilates Mat exercises!

If you do not have a pole, weighted bar you can try 1lb weights, a dowel or a theraband. If you have none of those items I do give ways to do this class without and it will still be a challenge! So, no need to skip this week!

I hope you have fun finding your back strength and playing with the way connecting to your back with this pole can affect more than your Roll Up!

xx-LL

Sometimes we are all about the Mat! And, well, these are mat classes so it’s pretty hard not to be all about the mat work. But, the rest of the Pilates method was designed to support us when we are on the mat. So, this week, while we mat out we will be gaining strength and inspiration from Pilates exercises typically done on the other pieces of equipment!

See you on your mat,

xx-LL

Pulling straps are such a full body exercise all of us need from our long Zoom days, phone time and binge watching. After this week, you’ll feel taller and even more confident in life, Zoom or when you enjoy the latest series. Light weights for the Mat if you have them.

See ya in class,

xx-LL