Michael is known for his ability to get you to work so deeply, you finish a class feeling as though you could levitate off your mat if he talked you through it. Get ready to find a set of muscles you never knew you had through his fabulously direct ways of putting you into position and helping you understand how to make the movement more effective. Nothing on your body will feel soggy or soft when your 30 minutes are up (well, except maybe your clothes)! Filmed at Pilates Challenge on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
This was very enlightening. I cannot wait to teach my class your upright criss cross this week. So much more space in my body than I knew was available.
Can’t wait to share.
Thanks
Hi Michael, I love your workouts and cues. I especially loved the one which prepped folks for the ski season. Where is it!??! I would love to have it available again. Thank you.
Hi
Had spinal fusion on lL4/L5 Dec 12 and started Pilates in Oct. have had flu 6 weeks so been in & out of be. Did this workout the other morning a little modified and couldn’t believe the sweat I work up and the soreness in part of my body that I didn’t realised worked any more. Is there anything specific I shouldn’t be doing in Pilates because of fusion. Thanks so much for being me back to life..
Mary J
Hi Mary,
What a fantastic testament to Pilates you are, and did you know that Joe Pilates titled one of his books ‘Return to Life’?! It’s great to hear that you felt so good coming back to Pilates after your surgery and without working with you in person it’s impossible for me to say what you might need to avoid after your fusion because every body is different. Two things for you to keep in mind would be: 1) what does your doctor or Physical Therapist say that you should avoid while healing and in the future (if anything); 2) how does your body feel when you’re exercising and after?
Always err on the side of caution when coming back to exercise after surgery and pay close attention to how your body responds–pain on the side of ‘this isn’t just my muscles’ is a warning to back off or leave a movement out for the time being or to drastically reduce the range of motion in that movement.
If you were able to do this class without any pain you should be good to go for any of our beginner level classes. Don’t progress to the next level too soon–make sure the beginner level classes feel ‘easy’ before you move on. And finally, it would be great for you to find an instructor to take even just a few private sessions from. I’m happy to help if you’d like a recommendation in your area–email me directly at: alisa@pilatesology.com.
Thanks so much Alisa.
I live in Dublin. Ireland and go to a local class which I believe is a Stotts Pilates discipline.
My teacher is very good and varies the movements weekly.
My physiotherapist said to avoid sit-up and thread-mills but that was probably 8 mints ago.
Again thanks for you help and making Pilates available to all. Levels.
Mary
I’ve been practicing Pilates 25 years, instructing 15 years and you gave me with this video the best tutorial experience i have ever had.
THANK U !!!!!
It was interesting the point made about the SINGLE STRAIGHT LEG STRETCH, and how the muscles of the tummy tend to switch off because you are holding onto the leg to pull, pull. Also, the point made about the difficulty of continuously asking the so called power house to stay engaged in the mat work.
Great, eventually you try to stay connected to everything and the nervous system to have control over the body! Mind, body connection. Thanks again, for sharing and your continued support.
I always strive to have clarity in my instruction. I am happy you found this helpful and your posture benefitted from this class. Keep up the good work and try all the fantastic classes that this site has to offer. Good luck
Ouch! Thank goodness muscles have memories – wish I hadn’t left intense exercise for so long. Thanks Michael (& Maggi) – this was an awesome reintroduction. Loved it! Amanda J (Aus) xo
Amanda I didn’t make the connection till mom told me that I made the comment LOL. Means to me “Love and Light”. I am so happy you enjoyed this video. Keep practicing. It’s a life long program. The best in the world!!!!! Just so you know, Maggie our mom was the person who influenced me to want to learn more about Pilates. Say hello to everyone down under!!!!
I agree with other comments….I think I broke a sweat from the starting “modification”. Feels great. This is why Pilates is the ultimate workout! Love you Michael!!!
What Others Are Saying
39 Comments
This was very enlightening. I cannot wait to teach my class your upright criss cross this week. So much more space in my body than I knew was available.
Can’t wait to share.
Thanks
I will watch this many times to get the detail! Great cues and great way that you assist clients and help them turn on connections. Thank you!
Michael – loving this class. feel I can really get my clients (and myself) deeper into the work with these cues.
Hi Michael, I love your workouts and cues. I especially loved the one which prepped folks for the ski season. Where is it!??! I would love to have it available again. Thank you.
The cues in this are fantastic!!! Thank you so much!
Thanks so much I am glad you found my teaching helpful, please feel free to take a look at my other videos in this website. Enjoy your workouts!
Mj
Hi
Had spinal fusion on lL4/L5 Dec 12 and started Pilates in Oct. have had flu 6 weeks so been in & out of be. Did this workout the other morning a little modified and couldn’t believe the sweat I work up and the soreness in part of my body that I didn’t realised worked any more. Is there anything specific I shouldn’t be doing in Pilates because of fusion. Thanks so much for being me back to life..
Mary J
Hi Mary,
What a fantastic testament to Pilates you are, and did you know that Joe Pilates titled one of his books ‘Return to Life’?! It’s great to hear that you felt so good coming back to Pilates after your surgery and without working with you in person it’s impossible for me to say what you might need to avoid after your fusion because every body is different. Two things for you to keep in mind would be: 1) what does your doctor or Physical Therapist say that you should avoid while healing and in the future (if anything); 2) how does your body feel when you’re exercising and after?
Always err on the side of caution when coming back to exercise after surgery and pay close attention to how your body responds–pain on the side of ‘this isn’t just my muscles’ is a warning to back off or leave a movement out for the time being or to drastically reduce the range of motion in that movement.
If you were able to do this class without any pain you should be good to go for any of our beginner level classes. Don’t progress to the next level too soon–make sure the beginner level classes feel ‘easy’ before you move on. And finally, it would be great for you to find an instructor to take even just a few private sessions from. I’m happy to help if you’d like a recommendation in your area–email me directly at: alisa@pilatesology.com.
Thanks so much Alisa.
I live in Dublin. Ireland and go to a local class which I believe is a Stotts Pilates discipline.
My teacher is very good and varies the movements weekly.
My physiotherapist said to avoid sit-up and thread-mills but that was probably 8 mints ago.
Again thanks for you help and making Pilates available to all. Levels.
Mary
It sounds like you are in great hands with your teacher Mary, keep up the good work and feel free to write with any further questions.
Alisa
I’ve been practicing Pilates 25 years, instructing 15 years and you gave me with this video the best tutorial experience i have ever had.
THANK U !!!!!
It’s always special to have comments like this. To know I have influenced your practice in a meaningful way. So glad you liked it
Mj
It was interesting the point made about the SINGLE STRAIGHT LEG STRETCH, and how the muscles of the tummy tend to switch off because you are holding onto the leg to pull, pull. Also, the point made about the difficulty of continuously asking the so called power house to stay engaged in the mat work.
Thanks for your observations!!!
Mj
It was intended as more than an observation, I should have explained that what you described, is what I feel in my practice. Thank you for sharing.
Great, eventually you try to stay connected to everything and the nervous system to have control over the body! Mind, body connection. Thanks again, for sharing and your continued support.
Mj
Absolutely love your cues !!
Thanks for taking the time to watch.
Mj
My posture is better because of this routine. The cues make it so clear for me. Thank you.
I always strive to have clarity in my instruction. I am happy you found this helpful and your posture benefitted from this class. Keep up the good work and try all the fantastic classes that this site has to offer. Good luck
Mj
Oooh this was way harder than I expected – probably due to all your specific instructions that make sure you are doing everything correctly. Thankyou!
Every Pilates exercise is hard if you stay connected. So glad you watched. Thanks
Mj
Great class, Michael!
Thank you!
How did you ever develop all these sensational cues?? Magnificent!!!!
All these techniques I have developed myself over the last 30 years of practice and teaching. Thanks for your comments
MJ
Ouch! Thank goodness muscles have memories – wish I hadn’t left intense exercise for so long. Thanks Michael (& Maggi) – this was an awesome reintroduction. Loved it! Amanda J (Aus) xo
LOL!!!!!
Amanda I didn’t make the connection till mom told me that I made the comment LOL. Means to me “Love and Light”. I am so happy you enjoyed this video. Keep practicing. It’s a life long program. The best in the world!!!!! Just so you know, Maggie our mom was the person who influenced me to want to learn more about Pilates. Say hello to everyone down under!!!!
LoL. ( Love and Light)
Mj
Love this from the very 1st frame of the video! Thank you;))
Your welcome!! :)))
This is very special.
Thanks joesmat !! I wish you could come to the Pilates conference in NYC this June 7-9. This summer!
MJ
I agree with other comments….I think I broke a sweat from the starting “modification”. Feels great. This is why Pilates is the ultimate workout! Love you Michael!!!
I agree Pilates is a great workout!! Thanks so much!!
Really appreciated the modifications for teaching these exercises for the first time. The seated twist is brilliant.
Thanks!!!!!
Thanks Michael! There are some great building blocks in this video.
Thanks for your continued support. Mj