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

A TheraBand is useful in so many ways! It can help you stretch, challenge your strength and even be the springs and opposition that our Pilates equipment provides. So, bringing it to class this week we will find out how many ways the TheraBand can help us and a few exercises where it challenges our work!

And, the best part about this prop is if you don’t have one you’re still good to go for this week’s class. If you’re traveling, you can pack this prop in a side pocket of any bag. So no excuses!

See you on your mat,

xx-LL

This week, our first week adding in the Reformer classes we are bringing a little Reformer to our Mat! If you have 1 lb. weights bring them with you to your mat. We will be incorporating the love of Rowing and some other Reformer exercises to your Mat practice as we have been the last couple weeks in honor of Spring and the springs on the Reformer. These exercises are designed to help you get more connection to your back and your mat!

And, for those of you taking Reformer class, welcome to the first Reformer class on OPC! This week’s class we will focus on what’s connecting to where. While it seems easier to work on these connections on our Reformer there are so many places where we can disconnect that it makes for a fun flow!Grab your mat and or Reformer and let’s get ready to flow!

xx~LL

P.S. After class be sure to use the comment box to share what you loved, questions you had and any wins!

Whether you love or hate the Teaser it’s probably here to stay! And, with so many variations and ways to do it around the studio, it’s easy to think it’s our peak Pilates pose! While it’s not – and all exercises are created equal – it’s integral to your practice to squeeze all the stretch and strength out of it!

So, this week, we dive into many ways to Teaser!

Are you ready?

xx-LL

If you’re like me, you probably think of each exercise with a “start/stop” in mind. Meaning, I’m starting this exercise, and now I’m stopping that one and going to start the next one. Usually, it’s when the springs are closed.

But there aren’t springs on the mat! There’s no real marker, only yourself. And on the mat you might not want to be back in the “starting position,” especially because when you’re flowing some exercises finish as the next one is beginning.

Either way, there’s still a transition between them, which we’ll call the “finish.” So let’s focus on those; let’s focus on the finish! That is where the work really is.

xx-LL

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

The other day my client noticed it was amazing how she could keep her heels together. It’s a problem we’ve been focusing on for 4 years. She said, “Who knew it wasn’t a problem with my heels?” I laughed! Of course I knew, it’s why we’d been focusing on here seat and inner thighs. This week, let’s focus on how we can keep it all together by focusing less on what’s touching and more on how we make that happen.

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

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

The Seal! Typically considered a harder version of Rolling Like a Ball. But, is it? Or, is it a time for you to shine?

I know for me the first time I did the seal I thought it was a funny exercise. I wondered why we even did it. And, then my teacher Jay Grimes reminded me that its a time to show off. To show that you can clap your legs in and out while maintaining balance. And not just at the top of the Seal but at the upside down part too!

Are you ready to let your Seal shine? Let’s Seal it Off together this week!

xx-LL

Ok guys, before you run away from this week’s theme, I do hope you give it a try. If you don’t know what Horseback is, you will be like, “why run?” I know that Horseback is an exercise people love to hate. But, just like Hip Circles, this is one of those exercises that we can use to reveal what we need to explore more of in our bodies and where we are rocking!

So, don’t run. Jump on the horse band wagon with me on the Mat and on the Reformer and let’s have a fun ride!

See ya in class,

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

Aloha! It’s our final sunset class here in Maui. We are about to have a nice stretchy class because we are going to get dressed up and have a Maui gala with hula dancers and amazing food (because who doesn’t want to have a gala?). So come, stretch with me and then we’ll go eat!

xx-LL

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

Good morning, it’s (almost) the final class of our retreat and today I asked our group what they want to do in this class. After a week of doing Pilates every day, there are just some exercises that our bodies haven’t opened up to yet and some that they really love. So before we do class I’m going to ask them what they want and that is what class will be about – right there on the fly!

So in 2019 you have to just come and join us!

xx-LL