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

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

Hi, I’m Lesley Logan and I’m here with Arlene Salomon in Maui for a beautiful Pilates retreat!

We are here at her amazing Pilates studio, which happens to be on the water, and today’s class is all about feeling where we are on the mat. It is our first day and the first class of the retreat so we’re all just kind of getting to know our body on the grass. I hope you enjoy it!

xx-LL

In life it’s easy to think we need more. More money, friends, stuff, props, equipment, exercises and time. But, what we are really looking for is connection. And, Pilates is all about connecting our mind to our body. Our muscles to our center. Basically, it’s about connecting to ourselves so that we can go out and connect to others.

If we connect to our mat and our equipment, it helps us connect to our center and our strength. These connections don’t disappear when we leave our Mat or Reformer.

This week on the Mat and Reformer we will focus on what’s connecting to the equipment and acknowledge what isn’t.

See ya in class,

xx-LL

It’s my bday week and to celebrate this week’s classes focus on my favorite ways to do each exercise, my favorite props and the exercises I never skip! It’s a Pilates party!

On the Mat please have a set of squishy ball nearby and on the Reformer we will be trying to fit in more exercises than usual. So, please feel free to pause me watch and then flow the first time you take it.

Let’s party!

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

It’s easy to think Pilates is about the abs. I mean, when we talk about the center, that’s what we think. But, all of the exercises require us to connect to our back too! The center is the muscles around your pelvis, shoulder girdle and everything in between. In this week’s classes, we will think about what we are doing to support, connect and strengthen our back! 

On the Reformer you’ll fill the springs, handles, carriage and more, help you wake up, stretch and strengthen your back. On the Mat we will use the wall to help us understand where we are in a spine that day, as well as stretch and strengthen your back. And, especially while many of us celebrate the holidays, access to a wall is everywhere. 

See you in class!

xx~LL

Welcome to the October 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.

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

The results are in, Sitting is the New Smoking. But, if you are going to sit – which lets face it we all will – then it’s important to know that you can sit and stand with strength and control. And your Pilates practice will get you there!

This week on our Mat we will see how well we lower down, use our practice to help us roll back up and see how well we stand because of Pilates. And on the Reformer we’ll use all the exercises to help us lift ourselves up, lower ourselves down and everything in between.

See ya in class,

xx~LL

It’s been awhile since I have been able to see peoples’ eyes in real time roll out loud when I say Neck Pull! But, that doesn’t mean I believe for a second its had a sudden growth in team Neck Pull. It’s a tricky exercise. It takes the difficulty of the Roll Up and adds the weight of your arms and takes away the strength of your midline. But, it’s so good you def don’t want to be skipping it. So this week, on your Mat and Reformer we will thread this exercise through both workouts.

If you have a Magic Circle – or Theraband you can tie to be a circle – then def have it handy for the Mat. No extra props needed for the Reformer.

See ya in class,

xx-LL

P.S. This was a pseudo request from our on fire FB group!

This week we focus our thoughts on how wide our backs can get! There is a difference between rounding your shoulders and widening your back. And, this key difference will not only make you stronger but it will make all those overhead and rolling exercises more possible!

• Want Control Balance to feel lifted and strong?
• Wish you could clap your feet 3x during Seal?
• Want your ribs to stay connected?

Then, it’s time to open your mind to the wide back!

xx-LL

Everyone’s favorite prop to love sometimes and hate other times is back! This week we’ll explore how the Magic Circle can help us connect our arms to our back, especially on the Mat. Keep that Magic circle nearby though because on the Mat and Reformer we might want to borrow some of its charm to connect more to other parts of your practice!

We’ll start with a yummy prep in both classes and I hope you like it and use it more often than just this week to connect to your back!

xx-LL

New Years is as good a time as any to just take a moment and see where you are, how far you’ve come and get excited about where you are going! This week, try to take class more than usual and enjoy the flow. Remember you can always hit pause, replace one exercise for another or modify. And, do not judge what you can’t do today…tomorrow is a new day and a year from now you’ll be a totally different person.

See you in class,

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