It’s soo easy to feel like your legs just hang off your hip flexors, pull on your back and make you feel like you’re two halves instead of a whole. So, in this weeks Mat and Reformer classes we are going to explore where are legs are moving from and how that helps us in each of our exercises. I’m bringing in some of the subscriber favorites like one leg teaser and one leg stomach massage.

See you in class!

xx~LL

Somethings in life you can just “wing it.” But, in Pilates the set up is at least half the battle. And, while it’s important to move it’s also important to set yourself up for success. Even if you just hold it!

This week we will still get our move on but we will discuss the set up more in depth that usual. And, if you decide to hold it for the length of the exercise awesome or you can flow through until we set up the next one. This week the in between is your call and I’ll handle all the good stuff to get you anchored in place.

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

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

I don’t know about you but sometimes my lower abs just feel like they are on vacation. My legs LOVE to do ALL the WORK. This week’s class we are getting low! Every exercise we examine how we can get a little more work from the lower abs. And, while we do it get ready to feel those hamstrings and seat work.

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

Sometimes you only have 10 min. to workout and you think, “It’s not enough I won’t do anything. I can do my workout tomorrow.” But, then tomorrow comes and more things come up.

This week’s class is sort of in 3 sections – especially, on the Mat. Of course I want you to do all 30 min. but if you only have 10 min. a day, try doing it in 3 parts. I bet you end up doing it all at once (I sure hope you do)!

See you in class!

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

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

Ok, so for my Mat lovers this theme might not be something you know. But, don’t worry! What we will be going over in this class will make you feel your “longest round shape” in every flexion exercise and your arm-to-back connection. It’s a mini version of what I taught in Rio and it made me feel my center in so many ways! No props needed for this one.

For you Reformer lovers I strongly encourage you to do the Mat this week too! Because, it will set you up for a stomach massage filled Reformer (without doing stomach massage all the time).

Hopefully, you’ll feel the massage or at least your stomach in every minute of your workout!

xx~LL

Hey hey, if you’ve got a magic circle get it! If you don’t, you will be able to use a ball for some things. In this week’s class, I want the Magic Circle to support us where it can. Sometimes the circle gets a bad rap.

I mean, think about all the things you’ve called your magic circle…

But, there are a few ways it can support us.

On the Mat we’ll begin with it on the 100 and then sprinkle it in throughout our practice. On the Reformer we’ll use it a few times to find some additional ways to feel, explore or even try and exercise out.

See you in class,

xx~LL

Ok, so I know that title is bizarre but I didn’t want you to see Jackknife and skip this week. Here’s the thing, I LOVE this exercise but it’s not for everyone and if you’re not going overhead I wanted you to know I still have a class for you. SO! We are going to add the Double Straight Leg Stretch to class even though its March Matness and this way we can use the beauty of both to take us through our mat practice.

Pilates will always meet you where you are! Are you ready?

xx-LL

It’s easy to think about the curling higher in Pilates or reaching more in an exercise. But, what about the “pulling” action in Pilates? And, how can you Pull from the right place to allow you to curl higher and reach more?

This weeks class we think about pulling from a few different places in every exercise to help us dive deeper into our entire mat!

We flow in this class and you don’t have to worry about anything but where to pull from!

Are you ready? See you on the mat!

xx~LL

Are Single Leg Circles a Circle? What about Hip circles? And how many other exercises do we create a circle? Or, are we simply twisting? Let’s investigate how each of these exercises sets us up for the next!

xx-LL

The Boomerang! Not just any mat exercise. But, almost every mat exercise!

I used to just say Boomerang was a rolling Teaser. But, as I made this class the truth is it’s more than that. It’s the rollover, it’s the seal, it’s the double leg kick arms, it’s inner thighs of spine twist and so many more.

Boomerang is often skipped in a mat class because it has so many moving parts, so this week’s class gives it the spotlight it truly deserves… Have fun thinking about the Boomerang for a full 30 min!

See you on your mat,

xx-LL