A few months ago all we did one week which focused on the transitions. And, I was reading some members conversations in our FB group and saw that they really loved and missed this theme. SOO it’s back! 

This week, instead of focusing on the movements inside of the exercise, we are going to focus on the in’s and the out’s of the exercise.

Are you ready?

xx-LL

Hello, good morning! It is day 3 here on our retreat in Maui and I can’t believe it’s going by so fast – it’s so beautiful.

We’re just about to start class. We’re doing a whole thing with the footwork in the beginning and stretching the hamstrings and really getting into our seat and our stomach because a lot of us hiked yesterday.

I hope you enjoy it and I will see you next time!

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!

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

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

Arlene here, and this is my studio Bodywork & Pilates right on the beach in Maui, Hawaii.

We’re about to have a really nice mat class because I’m going to demonstrate the traditional pushes and pulls that I learned from Jay Grimes. Everybody’s going to get a nice hands-on stretch as they do their exercises. So get ready!

Arlene

When you work on the reformer or any piece of equipment it’s easy to know when you’ve “finished” the exercise. The springs are closed and you’re back at the start position.

But, on the mat it’s all you! There is not equipment to help you “finish,” just yourself. And, as the movement goes on you may not want to be back in your original start position. In fact, when you’re flowing some exercises finish when the next one begins.

So, let’s focus on the finish! The final inches. That is where the work really is.

See you on your mat!

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

Grab your Magic Circle for some of my favorite ways to use the Magic Circle! On the Mat, we’ll be using it every few exercises to wake up some more dormant muscles. You know those ones that like to rest while others work?! And, on the Reformer, we’ll use it to enhance a few exercises and teach some others.

No circle, no problem! You’ll just do the exercises like they were intended and use your imagination along the way.

Ready for some magic?

xx~LL

Your favorite exploration is back! Every time we a week focusing on our different sides abilities I get requests for more. So, here it is! We are getting asymmetrical again. If you’ve been an OPC member for awhile you will get a chance to see how you have improved since the last time. If you are new, this will be a fun way to see which side is strong than another.

On the Mat we will also do some standing Pilates exercises to challenge our balance and connection. On the Reformer we will incorporate the variations of each exercise that use one leg or one arm instead of both.

See you in class,

xx~LL

When I wrote that title I was thinking of a line from a song from a band I can’t think of the name, but I can hear the tune in my head. I know, I’m weird. Anyway, I want us to play with our ball this week.

So, grab your squishy ball and let’s see how it can support us, challenge us and teach us.

And, for those you reading this and getting giggly, well…I think it’s kind of funny too!

See ya in class,

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

Spring has sprung and we can use the Theraband to feel like we’ve added springs to our Pilates mat work! If you don’t have a thera-band do not worry. You’ll still get a great workout. We will be exploring some of the Reformer exercises on our Mat and also what some Mat exercises would feel like with a little extra resistance.

See you on your mat!

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

One of my most top watched Youtube tutorials is the Long Stretch Series. Every time I film a new video breaking it down it’s instantly popular. It was also my first video I ever posted to Youtube. So, this week’s Mat class will take the Long Stretch Series off the Reformer and ask how to get long, get up, get down and yes, we will even do the Elephant.

For those of you on the Reformer we will thread this series through some of the basic exercises and then a grand finale that you can join in, either on your Reformer or on the Floor (if you’re needing another option).

See you in class,

xx~LL