I don’t know about you but this is the hardest part of the holidays. I can get through Halloween and Thanksgiving, but my will power not to indulge at every party is waning.

Thankfully, all year long we have been practicing quality over quantity in our Pilates practice and that applies to party treats too!

This week, we will get through the whole mat in 30 min (complete with modifications if needed) because a little of each exercise will go a long way in our Pilates practice.

xx-LL

The midline is an often underused area of our bodies. It’s easy to think you are squeezing your inner thighs only to find out when you get to the shoulder bridge that your knees roll out and you’re not engaging your inner thighs at all!

This week LL focuses on finding that inner thigh connection with or without a prop. She uses a magic circle. You can use one if you have one or a squishy ball or yoga block will work as well. If you don’t have any props you won’t need them. Your imagination and attention to detail will wake up your inner thighs as well.

xx-LL

There is lots of cues regarding the shoulders. Too often “shoulders down” is a quick fix cue thrown out there. Or, even, “don’t use your shoulders…”. But, what does it feel like to have your shoulders connected? Is it down? Is it back? How will it feel to simply focus on the shoulders throughout the whole mat workout? Well, take this week’s class and find out! I can tell you I can feel the effects after just one time doing this class. Enjoy your shoulder explorations!

See you on your mat,

xx-LL

It’s no secret we are a society that is beginning to round forward. Standing tall or pulling your shoulders back can only do so much. We have to strengthen the body to hold ourselves up so we don’t have to think about it all day and every day.

Today’s class with LL requires no props and if you have a mat great but as long as you have enough floor space to lay down and reach your arms out you are good to go. So, no excuses for missing 30 min to get Pilates in your body. You’ll be paying extra attention to your back muscles and your outer hips. Most of our workouts and lives do not give the side bodies enough attention. Today you will give these muscles the love and strength they deserve.

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

One thing I see in pics, videos or virtual sessions are the heels coming apart. And it does make a difference in making the exercises happen when the heels are together. The strength you gain from that hug is necessary when the heels are apart. This week, we will use the Magic Circle for some teachable moments. But you can hug a quarter to challenge yourself.

See you in class,

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

An additional 4-call training series all about how to better your personal Pilates practice. We’ll do a quick 15 minute workout and then I’ll actually watch you do the exercises that you have questions about, and we’ll dig in together for the rest of the call.

See you on the call,

xx-LL

Spring has sprung and we can use the Theraband to feel like we’ve added springs to our Pilates mat work! If you don’t have a thera-band do not worry. You’ll still get a great workout. We will be exploring some of the Reformer exercises on our Mat and also what some Mat exercises would feel like with a little extra resistance.

See you on your mat!

xx-LL

Open Leg Rocker and Rowing are some favs amongst OPC members. Sorry not sorry if they are not a fav of yours, haha (join the FB group and share your favs to inspire future classes). I thought it would be fun to explore how these two exercises fuel each other.

On the Mat please have a set of 1 or 2 lb. weights nearby or bring an awesome imagination. For the Reformer, make sure you review the Open Leg Rocker on the Mat before hitting play on this weeks class. You’ll want to have it in your Pilates mind’s eye.

See ya in class!

xx-LL

If you’re like me, you probably think of each exercise with a “start/stop” in mind. Meaning, I’m starting this exercise, and now I’m stopping that one and going to start the next one. Usually, it’s when the springs are closed.

But there aren’t springs on the mat! There’s no real marker, only yourself. And on the mat you might not want to be back in the “starting position,” especially because when you’re flowing some exercises finish as the next one is beginning.

Either way, there’s still a transition between them, which we’ll call the “finish.” So let’s focus on those; let’s focus on the finish! That is where the work really is.

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

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

It’s been a bit since we sole focused on our Thass. And this week, instead of using a Magic Circle to connect us to our missing link, I want you to grab a Thera band for your Mat. If you don’t have one, feel free to use a pair of leggings and/or your imagination. We are focusing on how we can get your back side to take its turn more often! Are you ready? How about your Thass?

See ya 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