Welcome to the January 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.

I am the biggest fan of a good Swan exercise! I absolutely love to do this exercise. It feels so good when I connect to all the right spots. But, how did Joe do it in his book? That’s what we will explore this week as well as a few other OG versions of our Mat work from his book Return to Life. Which if you haven’t read you should! It’s pretty great at guiding you through his mat practice.

xx-LL

The other day in the OPC members only group I had a request for Snake and Twist. I won’t go naming names but well, I know, Snake and Twist are not everyones cup of tea! However, you know that we make sure to set ourselves up for success! And this weeks class is no different.

In the Mat class we’ll be twisting our hearts out and working from our seat. And on the Reformer the entire class leads up to our Snake and Twist attempts. So, even if you don’t snake with me you’ll get a strong workout in until the end. And, you can do the Mat version alongside us.

If you need more make sure to check out the Snake and Twist tutorial!

xx~LL

Whether you are doing Pilates, weight training, yoga or cardio it’s super easy to focus on the front side of the body and to not think about or connect to your back side. So, this week’s class “hello, from the other side” (yes, you can belt it like Adele) is all about what the back side of our body is doing.

On the Mat, if you have a Magic Circle we will kick class off with a mini warm up to connect to our seat. You can use your imagination or even a ball. Something you can press into.

On the Reformer we will not need anything extra but feel free to have some 1 or 2 lb. weights nearby if you want to skip the heavier springs.

See ya in class,

xx-LL

It’s so easy to use your upper shoulders to do everything! To skip connecting to your shoulder girdle and just make an exercise look right.

When you are on the mat, it is so easy to let your shoulders lift your arms and upper body even though the exercise may be designed for your back. In this week’s class we are removing permission from your shoulders so you can work from a stronger source!

xx-LL

You should never run with scissors… or so I’ve been told (very loudly by my parents) but in Pilates we take our scissors into a bicycle ride. And, aside from it being freaking hard, it’s the safest bike ride you could take. Ok, maybe your Peloton is the safest bike ride. But, this one is def one that will also make you feel like an acrobat.

Now, I know some of you whether it be injury or skill level might want to skip this week please don’t! We are going to use some props on the mat (ball or foam roller) to help you get your hips up and challenge your connection to your hamstrings, glutes and entire backside!

Ready to have some fun?

See ya in class,

xx-LL

Last week’s mat class was a big hit, and we got lots of feedback, so this week we’re keeping the theme but putting a new twist on it!

It’s easy to think “shoulder back” or “heart open” but what if in trying to open your chest you accidentally closed your back?

Sometimes good cues can cause bad habits. So this week let’s try to hone our extension and openness skills without creating tension or bad habits!!

See you on your mat,

xx-LL

While I don’t like to get picky about the little things too much in our classes sometimes it’s important to going a little deeper in our practice to sweat the “small stuff.” This week, we are going to focus on where our hands go and what they are and are not doing in each exercise.

When I started really paying attention to my hands it completely changed my Open Leg Rocker!

Are you ready to give your hands a little attention? Yeah! Me too!

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

Back by demand… the one rep drill and all that it reveals to us and our Pilates practice. Don’t remember this one? Here’s the gist. On our Mat we will do one of every exercise (feel free to skip ones that you don’t do for injuries).

On the Reformer we will use the one rep drill to help us take advantage of one awesome rep. We won’t have time to go back and do something better. But sometimes I think we throw the first rep away. And this week… we only get to do it one in the class so we have to take advantage.

See ya in class,

xx-LL

P.S. want to request a theme? Post it in the OPC members only FB group.

Are you ready for a little magic? I know I am! It has been HOT here and so motivating to workout is not the easiest thing. But, thankfully, the mat can be done in 30 min or less. And this week’s class is no different!

This week, I’ve brought in the Magic Circle. But, you don’t have to have one to still get your Pilates and sweat on! If you have a ball or block grab it and if you have none then I’ve got some tips for you too.

Hope you enjoy it and I’ll see you next week where we see just what we can do when we “pull” a little more!

xx~LL

You are either awaiting many guests and holiday events or on your way to a friend or family members home! And that means traffic, lots of planning and entertaining.

It’s enough work to wonder if you are truly going to have some rest time during the holidays. One thing I have learned in all the travel and family affairs is sometimes you just need to roll with it!

This week we will play with all the rolling exercises. Are you ready to roll?

xx-LL

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

There is lots of cues regarding the shoulders. Too often “shoulders down” is a quick fix cue thrown out there. Or, even, “don’t use your shoulders…”. But, what does it feel like to have your shoulders connected? Is it down? Is it back? How will it feel to simply focus on the shoulders throughout the whole mat workout? Well, take this week’s class and find out! I can tell you I can feel the effects after just one time doing this class. Enjoy your shoulder explorations!

See you on your mat,

xx-LL

In our mat work we pay a lot of attention to flexion and extension. And, we often forget the side work. Sure, the twists do touch our sides and there is the amazing side kicks. But, how can we use all the other exercises to really rock our side bodies and strengthen us from side to side as much as head to toe?

Find out this week when we meet up for a side body adventure on our mats!

xx-LL