Lesley Logan in Pilates Style October 2014

How busy are you? I know for me I am BUSY! I mean, sometimes I think if I had an assistant wouldn’t that be amazing. But, then I realize that my assistant can only do so much. I mean, my assistant cannot get my massages or do my workouts. Well, I guess she could but it wouldn’t help me feel strong or relaxed! And, so then I go back to just feeling overwhelmed and busy as busy can be and realizing that I need to put myself first. And, if you are anything like me then you too need to put yourself first! But, how do you do that? How do you put yourself first?

When I first started taking Pilates on the Reformer the handles were foam-ish on ropes. When I started training to become a teacher the handle was metal and wood and hurt my wrist bone. And, I thought why on earth am I using this handle? 

As promised, Andrea Maida Pilates and I are moving our tips for your Short box series to the Ladder Barrel. You’ll find out why I love doing this series of Pilates exercises over here so much in my Youtube video. 

I’ll never forget my first Pilates class! In fact, I feel like I have talked about this class often here. But, that first Pilates Mat class really got me hooked! And, also, as I look back on it I realize just how far my own Pilates practice has come.

The first Pilates mat class I took I didn’t know that my legs shouldn’t lift off the mat when I rolled up. As you may know, most Pilates mat classes do not have mats that have straps, handles and a weighted pole for each student. In fact, most students use a Yoga mat for their Pilates practice. Which is not the same.

Hello my Pilates lovers, I am excited to announce a few wonderful options for enjoying Pilates with me from wherever you are in the wonderful world. Basically, after almost ten years of teaching and hundreds of clients that I have met here in LA, while I was traveling or while they were visiting, many of you do not live in LaLa Land (Los Angeles).

The Pull-ups on the Wunda Chair (sometimes known as Pike) was my original favorite Pilates exercise of all time! I had to always do the Pull-Ups on the chair before I left the Pilates studio, even if I was just there to observe people teach.

I always knew my knees hyper-extended. I hated that about my legs. But, I didn’t know how to stop. And, who doesn’t want to be flexible?! But the truth is that hyper-mobility was the reason I broke my leg back in 2014.

While not everyone has a set of hand weights laying around if you do grab them. If you don’t or you have a shoulder or neck injury skip the weights and join in for class anyway. Props are only a suggestion to help you feel something different in your mat practice.

This week we will be changing it all up! What happens when you mix up what you think you’re supposed to do in a Pilates exercise? What if you think about something opposite? Or, change the order? Let’s find out together! I’ll see you on your MAT!

In June of 2014, Lesley Logan was written up in Pilates Style Magazine. View the article here.

Hello, my name is Lesley, I often go by LL. I am a wife to a lovely man who rocks my world and supports me like crazy, mom to two Pitt Bulls Gaia and Bayon, a Pilates instructor, Pilates business coach, and a sufferer of digestive issues.

Last night I reached a breaking point. I went to bed with stomach pain again. It wasn’t my first breaking point around this issue. I have no idea if it will be my last. I certainly hope so…

Last year I told you about my stomach issues and my attempts to figure it all out. And then I even received some amazing help and if you read any of those blog posts then you know it’s been one bumpy ride. What I haven’t done in a year is share how it’s all been going. And, more importantly, answered some of your questions! Many of you have wondered exactly how I have been able to do Pilates given my stomach pains. Others, how I traveled with digestive issues. This week let’s discuss how I was able to do Pilates given the constant roller coaster of pain, bloating and discomfort.

I know that after that ninth breath during the Pilates 100 you just want to let it all hang out as soon as you hear that you’ve reached the end. But, that would be the such a bummer. To warm up so efficiently and then let it all go make the next exercise ten times harder to do. 

I had no idea when I first discovered Pilates that I would ever become a Pilates instructor. For whatever reason, it didn’t occur to me that I could change careers. And, all I knew is that I loved doing Pilates. But then, I took this leap to become an instructor and I loved it so much I never looked back. Ever. Because I love teaching Pilates so much. And here’s why:

I am often asked why I love Pilates and I usually respond by asking people if they have done Pilates. Why? Well, if you have done Pilates with a passionate teacher then you probably have some love for Pilates too. And, if you haven’t then my love for Pilates will probably sound like a crazy obsession!!!