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

Aloha, Arlene here! This is my studio Bodywork & Pilates in Maui, Hawaii. We’re to have an amazing mat class so I’m glad you can join us!

I’m going to go over getting more length in your spine and pulling in your abs. I’m going to be throwing in some extra teasers in there.

Arlene

While Tree is often an unsung hero of the Reformer it’s rarely done on the Mat. But, when it is its effects are amazing!!!

Don’t worry, if you have no idea what the Tree is we will go over it at the beginning and enjoy its effects for the rest of class!

Are you ready to fall in love with the Tree?

xx-LL

I know for some going upside down seems like it will NEVER happen. And for others it’s like, “can we do that again!?”

This week’s class we start with several preps to help hoist you up. And while we do spend some time going upside down you’ll find that you can get a little help from other exercises.

If you think NO I CAN’T GO UPSIDE DOWN so you’re gonna skip this class….login, press play and do what you can. There’s a lot of ideas and options in here.

See ya in class and maybe even upside down!

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

As the end of the year approaches it has me thinking about the end of our mat order: The Push-ups. When I first started teaching I would wonder why they came at the end.  Why not at the beginning or somewhere in the middle?

This week we will take a look at how we are being prepared for the push-ups our entire mat practice and also how the Push-ups wrap up our mat work with a tight bow!

Are you ready to wrap up this year, enjoy the end of the mat work and put a bow on all of it?  Yep, me too!

xx-LL

As we know they’ve done studies that show sitting is the new smoking. And, while you’re a Pilates rockstar who probably has a standing desk the challenge of going from sitting to standing without using your hands is tricky.

Now, before I continue I know that some of you have injuries that prevent you from going from standing to sitting and sitting to standing. Don’t worry. This class is still for you. You can skip those parts. We will be focusing mostly on the exercises in between.

On the Mat we will challenge your seat and play with getting your hips up without momentum. And on the Reformer we will play with the different series that help us open and close our hips!

After all we do Pilates not to be better at Pilates but to be stronger doing life.

xx~LL

I’ll never forget the day that I found out I was “showing off” in my Swan on the Mat, Reformer, Cadillac (pretty much anywhere). I was sooo deflated. I thought while my flexion may need some work, surely my extension was Pilates Olympic worthy, right? Nope, I was totally missing the good stuff from my Swans. So this weeks Mat and Reformer classes are going to explore all the levels of Swan and how to find Swan in exercises that are not so swanlike.

Swan life!

xx~LL

It’s no secret we are a society that is beginning to round forward. Standing tall or pulling your shoulders back can only do so much. We have to strengthen the body to hold ourselves up so we don’t have to think about it all day and every day.

Today’s class with LL requires no props and if you have a mat great but as long as you have enough floor space to lay down and reach your arms out you are good to go. So, no excuses for missing 30 min to get Pilates in your body. You’ll be paying extra attention to your back muscles and your outer hips. Most of our workouts and lives do not give the side bodies enough attention. Today you will give these muscles the love and strength they deserve.

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

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

It’s that time of year! The holidays are here. Crazy schedules, lots of food, parties candy! This is the time when your Pilates mat practice counts the most!

This week, we will go a little out of order, and make our way to our fabulous hundred. Like it or love it the Hundred ahem the Holidays are here!

And this week I hope you find more than a few times to hit the mat. I know I will!

xx-LL

In my personal Pilates practice, I’ve been noticing that while I can connect to my second seat quite well. I have been leaving my lower core hanging out! It’s so funny how our bodies like to “forget” something we already worked on ages ago. But, needless to say, I’ve been cheating a bit.

So, this past week I have been focusing on containing myself (which is quite opposite for how I like to live my life). In this week’s Pilates mat class we will focus on containing our core and what that means especially for when we are facing gravity.

Are you ready for your 30 min core containment? Register here for this week’s class.

See you on your Mat!

xx-LL

Hey hey, this week we are getting cozy with our side bodies. Why? Because one thing I have discovered is how many times I have skipped side plank when doing a Mat photoshoot. Sooo clearly, if I’m avoiding it, it’s because I need it. You know, we don’t like what we really need. And, as the end of year is near, we need all the strength we can to get through the holiday season!

On the Mat, we will focus on length, strength, side plank and of course some other sideways rocking and rolling. Reformer lovers, you know we will have to do some Star and Side sit ups. But, where else can we connect to your side waist? Lets all find out!

See ya in class,

xx~LL

When life gets crazy it’s so important to get “grounded.” But, what does that even mean? And, with the holiday craze who has the time to shop, work, go to parties, workout and then “get grounded?” 

What if we can combine our workouts and our grounding? This week we will focus on how the mat or floor below us actually is our partner in Pilates crime!

Are you ready to hit your mat and finish feeling more connected to you and your mind?  Me too!

xx-LL