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Neck Series with the Magic Circle

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  • May 6, 2025
neck series with the magic circle online pilates classes
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Equipment Needed: Magic Circle (I love using the Ultra-Fit Circle.)
  • Reps: 5-10 each variation
  • Warning: Not ideal for neck and shoulder issues.
  • Questions: Contact us here

Neck Series with the Magic Circle

Joseph Pilates gave us an incredible apparatus, the Neck Stretcher. However, if you don’t have a Cadillac or Tower, then the Neck Stretcher isn’t really an option. Which is why the Pilates Magic Circle is a great tool. It will help you strengthen all parts of your neck and help connect your head and neck with your center.

Less is always more. These moves are small and mighty.

Standing with heels together and toes slightly apart or parallel feet and legs a hip’s distance apart. Whichever stance provides you the most strength.

Back: Place one pad on the back of your head and both hands on the inside of the pad in front of your forehead. Elbows down and shoulders wide on your back. Press your hands forward into the pad and your head back into the pad. Release and repeat.

Side: Place the pad of the circle on the side of your head and the heel of your hand on the other pad. Elbow wide, shoulder wide on your back. Other arm is long by your side. Press the heel of your hand into the circle and resist the pressure of the circle with your head. Release and repeat. Switch sides and repeat.

Down: Place the pad of the circle under your chin and both hands on the bottom of the other pad. Pressing into the pad with your hands slightly curl your head and press the chin into the circle. Release and repeat.


Be sure to check out more of my Magic Circle workout videos. I want to help you continue your Magic Circle training!

By Lesley Logan

Lesley Logan, a 2nd generation certified Pilates teacher, breathwork, habits and mindset coach, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise tutorials, where you can also find weekly Pilates classes and workshops. Teaching Pilates since 2008, she has run multiple studios, has trained hundreds of people to become teachers themselves and has taught thousands of students around the world. When not teaching from her studio in Las Vegas, Lesley she’s hosting her podcast Be It Till You See it or traveling the world leading Pilates retreats. Connect with Lesley on Instagram @lesley.logan or through the contact page on this site.

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UP, UP, & AWAY

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

We are all going to feel like Super Humans after this month!!

Whenever I’m in a hard exercise (for me) where I’m holding myself up with my arms and reaching my legs away I picture myself with super human strength!!! I can do ANYTHING! It makes me smile and helps me stay STRONG.

This month our exercise is Up Stretch and when you think about it - reaching your legs away and staying strong over the carriage may feel a lot like flying!

We’ll be focusing on stabilizing our strong cores while staying equally balanced in our arms and legs. We are giving you some amazing building blocks by merging strength and stretch in all directions. You are going to get a little bit of everything that you can use to connect to your Up Stretch (and even your Roll Up and Knee Stretches Off).

Chair: Please have a foam roller and a balance pad available. We are going to challenge your balance safely.

xx-LL

BALLIN'

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Feel like a baller in 30 minutes flat with the Reformer and Mat this week.

This week we’re using a small ball to level up your Pilates connections and add just the right amount of spice to familiar moves. Expect fresh variations, midline-igniting challenges, and that “ohhh, there it is” feeling. Perfect for all levels with options to progress.

Props Needed : small ball, sitting box

See you in class,
Mindi

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, pole and a dowel!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, pole and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


POLE POSITION

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

In these classes on the Mat and Reformer, we’ll use a pole to make connections in the body easier to feel and understand. We’ll explore how your hands, arms, and back work together — and how wrist alignment plays a big role in creating this essential Arm-Back-connection.

The pole acts as a helpful tool, giving you direct feedback if you are working from your center and where you can soften.

Let´s move playful and get a supportive workout with the help of a simple pole that everyone has at home or can get cheaply at a hardware store.

Props Mat: Pole (1 yard length) or broomstick
Reformer: Pole, Box

Yasmin

POLE POSITION

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

In these classes on the Mat and Reformer, we’ll use a pole to make connections in the body easier to feel and understand. We’ll explore how your hands, arms, and back work together — and how wrist alignment plays a big role in creating this essential Arm-Back-connection.

The pole acts as a helpful tool, giving you direct feedback if you are working from your center and where you can soften.

Let´s move playful and get a supportive workout with the help of a simple pole that everyone has at home or can get cheaply at a hardware store.

Props needed :
Mat: Pole (1 yard length) or broomstick
Reformer: Pole, Box

See you in class,
Yasmin

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


STEP BY STEP

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Alright you might not be excited to focus on building up to push ups. But this week, step by step, exercise by exercise we are going to get more out of our set ups, transitions and how that makes push ups more possible!

Props: Magic circle will be used in the beginning on the Mat and then at the end. If you don't have one theres a lot you can do with a squishy ball.

See you in class,
xx-LL

STEP BY STEP

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Alright you might not be excited to focus on building up to push ups. But this week, step by step, exercise by exercise we are going to get more out of our set ups, transitions and how that makes push ups more possible!

Props needed : Magic circle will be used in the beginning on the Mat and then at the end. If you don't have one theres a lot you can do with a squishy ball.

See you in class,
xx-LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


BASIC IS THE NEW ADVANCED

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Let’s get BASIC!! The most "basic" Pilates exercises are often rich in advanced concepts. Throughout the week we’ll put the emphasis on the Pilates Fundamentals and overall body awareness - a focused approach to these core concepts might just shift your perspective on what “advanced” really means.

Props Needed: Circle Band or tied resistance band

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GET GET DOWN

Let´s talk about your Squat!

Do we really have squats in Pilates? Oh yes, we do - on the Mat in the beginning to get down, we have a challenging one on the Reformer, Squats on Tower/Cadillac and smart, supportive exercises on the Wunda Chair to really help built up the strength. 

But the big question is: Are you actually using your THASS and Center to get low - or are your quads and lower back doing all the work while the rest just watches? This month, we’ll play, explore and refine this functional movement. So let's get curious and 'get get down' strong!

Props:

Mat = TBD
Reformer = box
Tower = Magic Circle, Reformer Box (low stool is fine too) - just for a few exercises, can be done without
Chair = optional mat, and option pole

See ya in class,
xx-LL

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, TOWER/CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

The STAR WARS Universe needs more than just a day of celebrating …May The Fourth! Let’s honor that mind-body-Jedi spirit, as well as the Power of 4, all month…May The Force Be With You! All of our 45 min classes will use 4 reps or a combination of 4 exercises to connect us to our strength.

On the reformer, we’ll use the Pilates pole as our own special light saber of focus! (Swiffer handles or yardsticks work well, too!

Props needed:
Mat: Pole
Reformer: Pilates Pole
Tower: none
Chair: none

See ya in class,
xx-LL

BREATHE IT IN

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Back by popular demand entire workouts led by our breath. We'll use inhales and exhales to get the most out of our work. And, perhaps some exercises that have felt challenging will have a bit more flow! 

See ya in class,
xx-LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Theraband - leggings or stockings, pole - swiffer handle or stick

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer.

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


BALLIN'

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Feel like a baller in 30 minutes flat with the Reformer and Mat this week.

This week we’re using a small ball to level up your Pilates connections and add just the right amount of spice to familiar moves. Expect fresh variations, midline-igniting challenges, and that “ohhh, there it is” feeling. Perfect for all levels with options to progress.

Props Needed : small ball, sitting box

See you in class,
Mindi

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ONLINE MAT & REFORMER PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Teaser is probably one of the most photographed exercises in Pilates. Which makes people think it's a "peak pose." But, it's anything but! It's simply another layer to your Pilates practice. This week we will acknowledge how each exercise contributes to your ability to do Teaser (someday) and then how Teaser teaches you where to get curious in your practice.

On the Mat we will use light weights for one round of Teaser as they can be helpful for those still adding into their practice.
No props on the Reformer.

See you in class,

xx~LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights and a Mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.