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

Don’t worry we won’t do a 100 hundreds… but what if we did enough thinking and loving of the 100s for a week that maybe we didn’t go “ugh the 100” most of the time? What if we did it enough that we could see the beauty in the 100?

This week, whether you are on the Mat or the Reformer, all ya need is you, your breath and a tiny bit of love for the 100.

See ya in class,

xx-LL

Hey hey, this week we are getting cozy with our side bodies. Why? Because one thing I have discovered is how many times I have skipped side plank when doing a Mat photoshoot. Sooo clearly, if I’m avoiding it, it’s because I need it. You know, we don’t like what we really need. And, as the end of year is near, we need all the strength we can to get through the holiday season!

On the Mat, we will focus on length, strength, side plank and of course some other sideways rocking and rolling. Reformer lovers, you know we will have to do some Star and Side sit ups. But, where else can we connect to your side waist? Lets all find out!

See ya in class,

xx~LL

Hey there, you’re a Rock Star, let’s put some attention and focus on our open leg rocker this week. If you have some light weights, we will use them for a few exercises on the Mat. On the Reformer, we’ll enjoy how so much of our Reformer practice is helping your open leg rocker!

See you in class,

xx-LL

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.

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

We are bringing some of the Reformer to our Mat this week! Breaststroke is a Reformer exercise that is often avoided or just loathed, especially if you don’t have a spotter. But, after this week’s class, I do see some love for this exercise in your future. 

On the Mat, if you have some 1 or 2 lb. weights nearby they’ll be super helpful for a few exercises. Yes, canned food or water bottles will also work here!

On the Reformer you can use those same props to do this class if the Breaststroke is new for you or if you just hate doing it. I know you’ll find through this week’s class that so much of what we do in the beginning is in preparation for Breaststroke and you’re more ready than you think!

See ya in class,

xx-LL

In my personal Pilates practice, I’ve been noticing that while I can connect to my second seat quite well. I have been leaving my lower core hanging out! It’s so funny how our bodies like to “forget” something we already worked on ages ago. But, needless to say, I’ve been cheating a bit.

So, this past week I have been focusing on containing myself (which is quite opposite for how I like to live my life). In this week’s Pilates mat class we will focus on containing our core and what that means especially for when we are facing gravity.

Are you ready for your 30 min core containment? Register here for this week’s class.

See you on your Mat!

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

By request, we are starting an exploration of extension. This will be one of many that we do. This week, we explore what it means to find length in the spine without doing massive backbends. I used to think that extension could only exist if my feet were touching my head. But, after lots of studying in my own body, I have found that the more I allow the extension to stay away from my lower back and work its way up my spine the more strength I feel in my body. In this week’s class enjoy the mini extension exploration. And, take it a few times because the thing about relearning extension is the more you do it the more your body remembers!

See you on your mat,

xx-LL

Sometimes I don’t know what to do in my Pilates practice so I just do 1 of everything. Yep, you can learn a lot about yourself when you do just 1 rep of your workout.

This week on the mat we will start with a 1 rep drill. This will take less than 10 minutes and then we will have 20 minutes to go back through our mat to explore where we can connect more.

On the Reformer we will warm up and then do the best we can with all the exercises if we just do 1 freaking great rep! How well will you connect when you only get one chance to do it?

See ya in class!

xx~LL

After many requests for more Upstretch class and more down stretch class, this weeks class will focus on both reaches! On the Mat we will first find our Up and Down Reach (aka Stretch) and then thread that throughout the class. If you have a soft ball or cushion it’ll help in the beginning.

On our Reformer we will find these reaches in the beginning and then use them to challenge some of the exercises we don’t always get to do. If you have 1lb weights grab them just in case you decide to do the modification.

xx~LL

If you’re not familiar with the full Pilates studio apparatus, you might be thinking, “What is a barrel?” Well, don’t worry! You don’t need to run out and get this just yet. Although, after this week’s classes, you may want one for yourself.

I’m obsessed with the Spine Corrector, we have a whole play list on it at OPC and there are several exercises we can apply to our Mat and Reformer classes. This week, if you have foam roller or yoga bolster, squishy ball or block (that would be the least enjoyable one), bring them to class and we will kick off class with a yummy series and see how it sets us up for our entire flow!

See you in class,

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

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