In life, balance is essential. And, not just so you can balance on one leg to do Tree Pose in Yoga or some other one-legged standing pose in Pilates or fitness. Actually, in your day to day life you have to stand on one leg to put on your pants, get into your car or kick a bag!

We feel how every exercise helps ready us for the Kneeling Side Kicks. You’ll feel stronger when class is over!

xx-LL

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

Ever have a teacher who asks you to, “Give them one more?” Well, if you haven’t you will this week. And, if you have then you may not be looking forward to this class but I promise I won’t ask for one more rep. Instead, I will be asking for one more inch.

Yes, an inch! Because I want more length from you. It’s so easy to do what you usually do or reach from your joints. In this week’s class, we will reach from different parts of our spine in every exercise.

Are you ready to feel taller?

xx-LL

Whenever LL hears that Pilates is easy or that an exercise isn’t hard she knows that there is zero control happening. The body is moving but it’s basically just doing the choreography. When you are doing Pilates with control and a bit of focus on precision every exercise works the whole body.

This week LL focuses on what’s moving where and really paying attention to even what’s not supposed to be moving. Get ready to ask yourself some questions and feel Pilates in your body at a deeper level.

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

Ok, the title of this week’s class is pretty boring. But the workouts will be anything BUT! Because we are focusing on all the ways we circle in our Pilates practice. Where do they start from? Where do they stop? Is it always the same?

All you’ll need is you for 95% of these classes. But if you have a magic circle, we will use it just at the beginning of both the Mat and Reformer to remind ourselves where we circle from.

See your circles in class!

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

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

This week’s class is inspired by every person who has rocked back and not rocked right back up. It happens. It seems like such an easy exercise when you rock back and it’s almost shocking you can’t rock back up right? But, the truth is this rolling exercise is more than rocking back and forth. There are some key things you can do in the exercise to make it happen. And, there are pieces throughout the mat work that help teach your body how to rock back and right back up.

This week let’s roll that open leg rocker!

See you on your mat,

xx-LL

Ever realize how hard it is to just get started? Once we get going it’s so much easier. When I wake up, I wonder – should run that day? If I will have time (even though I wake up early enough to make sure I can run)… But, once I am running it’s easier to keep going. The same could be true for you and your Pilates practice.

Maybe you plan to take class several times this week but you find yourself putting it off until tomorrow. Or, the next day. Maybe later will be better. Even though you know you’re going to feel better once it’s over.

This week, I thought it could be fun to practice starting at the beginning. Focusing on the “start” position of each exercise and then flowing through. Maybe this will help us practice “getting going.”

Now, the only you have to do is login and press play and then we can begin!

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

We spend a lot of time focusing on the “actions” of the exercises and to a good amount the set ups. But, it’s easy to skip or “rest” through the transitions. And, something so special about Pilates is that there are transitions!

I had a teacher that for a while would not let me do the exercise if I lost my connection to my center as I transitioned. Yep, it was tough!

I promise this class will be fun and full of explorations. And I hope you find some transitions you like that you can keep in your Pilates bag and use in future classes!

Nothing needed extra for either the Mat or the Reformer class. Just bring your fabulous self!

See ya in class,

xx~LL

Joseph Pilates created the Mat work first, then saw how hard it was for people (I mean, you know) and designed the Reformer. In this week’s mat class we’ll take some of the exercises from last week and continue to add on! If you’ve never been on a Reformer don’t worry. The Reformer exercises were born from the Mat so you’ll recognize a lot of the spine shapes.

See you on your Reforming mat,

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

Upon request from the OPC members only FB group a class with the 100 as the theme is back in action! It’s all new and full of ways to feel the 100 both in the 100, upside down, right side up and everywhere in between.

On the Mat get ready to pump where you usually don’t. Breathe a little deeper and exhale a little longer. Over on the Reformer you’ll be asked to find your 100’s curl in a whole lot of different places.

Yes, the 100 gets your blood pumping. But, it also helps you move through your entire Pilates practice!

Happy Hundred-ing,

xx~LL