While Tree is often an unsung hero of the Reformer it’s rarely done on the Mat. But, when it is its effects are amazing!!!

Don’t worry, if you have no idea what the Tree is we will go over it at the beginning and enjoy its effects for the rest of class!

Are you ready to fall in love with the Tree?

xx-LL

Aloha, Arlene here! This is my studio Bodywork & Pilates in Maui, Hawaii. We’re to have an amazing mat class so I’m glad you can join us!

I’m going to go over getting more length in your spine and pulling in your abs. I’m going to be throwing in some extra teasers in there.

Arlene

Aloha, we are on our Pilates retreat here in Maui and we are having the best time!

My “Reformer on the Mat” workshop is not just how to do the reformer exercises on the mat, but it’s also why you should do them. How you can feel things differently, how it will change your reformer practice and how it will spice up your mat.

I hope you join me,

xx-LL

Ok, so for my Mat lovers this theme might not be something you know. But, don’t worry! What we will be going over in this class will make you feel your “longest round shape” in every flexion exercise and your arm-to-back connection. It’s a mini version of what I taught in Rio and it made me feel my center in so many ways! No props needed for this one.

For you Reformer lovers I strongly encourage you to do the Mat this week too! Because, it will set you up for a stomach massage filled Reformer (without doing stomach massage all the time).

Hopefully, you’ll feel the massage or at least your stomach in every minute of your workout!

xx~LL

I’ll never forget the day that I found out I was “showing off” in my Swan on the Mat, Reformer, Cadillac (pretty much anywhere). I was sooo deflated. I thought while my flexion may need some work, surely my extension was Pilates Olympic worthy, right? Nope, I was totally missing the good stuff from my Swans. So this weeks Mat and Reformer classes are going to explore all the levels of Swan and how to find Swan in exercises that are not so swanlike.

Swan life!

xx~LL

What’s the deal with leg pulls? You know those two exercises towards the end of the mat that we tend to skip? They look and feel like push-ups or reverse push-ups. But, they are so much more than meets the eye.

In fact, whenever I do them I feel way more going on in my body than I ever do with a push-up. This week, we will use our entire mat to prepare us for these two Pilates gems.

See you on your mat!

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

Back by Demand but Fresh and New! Y’all loved the time we swapped the equipment exercises and I wanted to enjoy that flow again. So this theme is back but it’s all new! Let’s see what we get through this week when our Mat becomes a Reformer and our Reformer becomes a Mat.

Mat lovers, if you’ve never done the Reformer, some of these things will feel bizarre or you may not have seen or heard of them. Don’t worry, you’ve got the whole week to have fun! If you’re a Reformer lover who skips the Mat… I see you! You’re getting your Mat on this week. Have 1 or 2 lb. weights nearby for both classes.

See ya in class,

xx-LL

It’s been awhile since we did all of the mat in 30 min! And, here’s the thing, I know for many of you every exercise is not possible. I will be calling options from the beginning of the Mat to replace the end ones. So, you’ll get lots of practice!

For the Reformer while we can’t do the entire Reformer in 30 min we are going to have a good flow and get pretty close. Please feel free to take your time, pause me if you want to juice any exercises out. And, I will try to call out the next exercise info on the last rep of the exercise before so you have time to plan your transition. Are you ready?

xx~LL

A wall is an excellent source of feedback. It’s the prop we all have handy and it can help us dive deeper into our own practice. In this weeks Mat class we use the wall to give us information and to support us in much of our practice. On the Reformer we use the idea of the “wall” as our carriage. How can our legs use the wall? Our feet use the floor?

Get ready to use your imagination!!

xx~LL

It’s so easy to use your upper shoulders to do everything! To skip connecting to your shoulder girdle and just make an exercise look right.

When you are on the mat, it is so easy to let your shoulders lift your arms and upper body even though the exercise may be designed for your back. In this week’s class we are removing permission from your shoulders so you can work from a stronger source!

xx-LL

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

Whether you love or hate the Teaser it’s probably here to stay! And, with so many variations and ways to do it around the studio, it’s easy to think it’s our peak Pilates pose! While it’s not – and all exercises are created equal – it’s integral to your practice to squeeze all the stretch and strength out of it!

So, this week, we dive into many ways to Teaser!

Are you ready?

xx-LL

I know most of us are always looking to shed the weight whether physical or figurative. But, this week, I do want to bring a little weight into our practice. Just a little bit. Like 1lb or 2 lbs.

If you’ve got little hand weights bring them with you. If you’re traveling or at your office and you don’t no worries! The mind is a beautiful thing. Grab your real or imaginary hand weights and join me as we explore what a little weight can do for our Pilates practice.

xx-LL

Have you ever thought of your Mat as a piece of equipment? If not, after this week’s class, I hope you do! Because it truly is. And, if you’re a Reformer lover, I know you think of your Reformer as a piece of equipment. But, do you truly connect to the carriage, handles, foot bar and springs?

This week we are going to explore how we are connecting to our equipment in each exercise. Are we pushing it off of us, or away from us? Or, are we using it to support us?

See ya in class,

xx~LL