Ok, I’m coming clean! I absolutely hate stretching post a run or workout with my trainer. I mean, I would rather do a full on mat workout after a run or training session than sit and stretch or roll. And while there are plenty of opinions on whether or not stretching even works. What I can say from experience is that using Pilates as my cross training has kept me injury free even when I was a competitive runner. So, this week’s class is taking the mat workout as a post-run/spin/elliptical or cross-training workout. How can we use the mat to open up what those workouts tighten up? How can we strengthen what those workouts overlook and how can we check in with where our body is that day?

I hope you enjoy this weeks mat class!

xx-LL

Whether you love or hate Rowing or maybe you’re like, “Rowing what?” It’s a series that can be done in various levels and all around the Pilates room. It’s incredibly useful for challenging and strengthening our back, center and entire Pilates practice.

On the Mat we’ll use weights and bands to explore rowing and then how that helps us enjoy more of our Mat work. And, on the Reformer we’ll hit the Rowing first and see how it can help us connect to do more on the Reformer than we might think possible.

See ya in class!

xx~LL

What if we didn’t start with the Hundred? What if we started with Pushups? Would that make Teaser easier? Harder?

This week let’s flip class around to see the magic behind the madness of Pilates! It may just answer most of your Mat related questions.

See you on the mat!

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

Happiest new year! It’s the first week of 2019 and it’s that resolution time. But, instead of this being about how many times you’ll commit to doing your Pilates. What if instead we used this class as a marker and a goal setter? What if as the class goes on you see just how far you can go and make a note of where you want to get in your practice?

For example: what if you find your roll up rocks but your neck pull has some work todo? This class will help reveal where you rock and where you want to rock a little bit more!

I’ll be layering exercises to help you build from one to the next so you can make some exercise goals!

xx-LL

P.S. Afterwards I would love to hear what your exercise goals are!

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

This week’s workout will explore how many exercises are preparing you for the depth, strength and coordination the Russian Splits require. If you’re someone who is like “Russian splits what?!” Don’t worry, You’ll be getting quite the workout and some day when you do get on a Reformer your body will be ready! We will also explore, on the Reformer, how Russian Splits prepare and teach you for your next workout. Because, of course, Pilates is always preparing us for our next workout.

No props needed for this workout but get ready to enjoy some fun exploration!

See ya in class,

xx-LL

Hey there, you’re a Rock Star, let’s put some attention and focus on our open leg rocker this week. If you have some light weights, we will use them for a few exercises on the Mat. On the Reformer, we’ll enjoy how so much of our Reformer practice is helping your open leg rocker!

See you in class,

xx-LL

Elephant is one of the toughest exercises for me. The lift, the reach and against gravity! AHH! So, this week, let’s not only work on our Elephant on the Reformer but also all the places where the Elephant exists!

xx~LL

I don’t know about you but this is the hardest part of the holidays. I can get through Halloween and Thanksgiving, but my will power not to indulge at every party is waning.

Thankfully, all year long we have been practicing quality over quantity in our Pilates practice and that applies to party treats too!

This week, we will get through the whole mat in 30 min (complete with modifications if needed) because a little of each exercise will go a long way in our Pilates practice.

xx-LL

I know you love the Reformer! Who doesn’t?! Well, in this week’s class the Reformer meets your mat. Get ready to footwork, row and snake away on your mat. Who needs a reformer when you’ve got your imagination and your muscles?

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

One thing I see in pics, videos or virtual sessions are the heels coming apart. And it does make a difference in making the exercises happen when the heels are together. The strength you gain from that hug is necessary when the heels are apart. This week, we will use the Magic Circle for some teachable moments. But you can hug a quarter to challenge yourself.

See you in class,

xx-LL

Welcome to the October Consistency Challenge! You’ll come back to this page each week for the class replays. Make sure you’re logged in or you won’t be able to see the class.

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