When doing Pilates it’s easy to get obsessed with your core or keeping your shoulders out of your ears. But, the more connected you are to your seat, your booty, the stronger your entire body will feel. Some of those notorious hip grippy exercises like Spine stretch forward teaser will become more tolerable and you may even find you enjoy them a little bit when you activate your butt! Let’s work your booty and more in this week’s class.

See you on your mat,

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

In this week’s class, LL wants you to feel your body go in two different directions. Normally in life, we prefer not to be pulled all over the place but in this case, on your Pilates mat, you will love how this tug of war feels inside your body. Plus, connecting your body to Pilates and your mind on your mat will allow the outside world to disappear. So, what are you waiting for? Put those people vying for your attention on hold. Snag some floor space and enjoy the work of Pilates in your body.

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

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

Hey hey, it’s time to spend a little more time thinking about our sides. We always do the side kicks and twists. But, this week we are going to have some fun with side rolling, side bend, and more side ways to move! My goal is that the stronger your sides are the easier it is for you to find your lift! You’ll be taller and stronger after this class. No reminder needed to have good posture!

On the Reformer we’ll be adding in some more Side lying or side working exercises. As always I’ll give you some options to replace what I am doing if you’re not ready for it.

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

It’s funny how we fall into our feet. Have you ever noticed how you stand? Do you stand more on one side of your foot or the other? I stand heavily into my heels. But, the more I focus on my whole foot the more my entire body gets stronger, more connected.

In this weeks Mat class we are going to focus on how our feet allow us to connect more to our entire body. Leg Pulls will feel soo good when you stand in your feet. Side Kicks will feel so stable when you connect to the outside of your foot!

And on the Reformer we will use the springs and our feet to share information to our entire practice! Ever wondered how the horseback flex and point actually makes the exercise more possible? Wonder no more!

Share your feet discoveries in this weeks class comments and in our group page.

xx~LL

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

This week’s workout will explore how many exercises are preparing you for the depth, strength and coordination the Russian Splits require. If you’re someone who is like “Russian splits what?!” Don’t worry, You’ll be getting quite the workout and some day when you do get on a Reformer your body will be ready! We will also explore, on the Reformer, how Russian Splits prepare and teach you for your next workout. Because, of course, Pilates is always preparing us for our next workout.

No props needed for this workout but get ready to enjoy some fun exploration!

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

This week we’ll be doing our Reformer exercises on the Mat and the Mat exercise on the Reformer. If you have never done Pilates on a Reformer, there may be some exercise that seem odd to you. And, if you are always choosing our Reformer classes instead of the Mat, you might want to skip this week. But, I really want you to feel how the entire Pilates method works together. How the Reformer can support you and the Mat can challenge you.

On the mat have a set of 1 lb. weights nearby (if you have them it’s not necessary). Reformer lovers you won’t need any extra props just pay attention to different spring settings and flows.

See you in class!

xx~LL

Do you ever wonder how you are so strong on one side in one exercise and then in another exercise it switches? No, just me? Ha! I am pretty sure we are all in the same boat when it comes to being asymmetrical! So, this week we take on our sides! One side at a time that is.

On the mat we will play more with exercises that are play with asymmetry and then seeing how we can take what we learned and change up how we do our symmetrical exercises.

Then, over on the Reformer we play around with exercises where we take away one leg or one arm. Get ready to do Stomach Massage with one leg! It’ll be fun I promise.

Can’t wait to see a side of you!

xx~LL

P.S. Which side will you be doing twice next time?

Hi, this is Arlene. Welcome to my studio Bodywork & Pilates on our Pilates Retreat Maui!

This is day two of our retreat and we just had an amazing day of a morning mat class, hiking, an extraordinary brunch and now we’re about to get started with our evening mat class.

So glad you can join us!

Arlene

What if we didn’t start with the Hundred? What if we started with Pushups? Would that make Teaser easier? Harder?

This week let’s flip class around to see the magic behind the madness of Pilates! It may just answer most of your Mat related questions.

See you on the mat!

xx-LL