Now Open, An Even More Beautiful Space

Posted on August 17, 2017 by l2method

I am so excited to announce that Upside Motion has officially opened their THIRD studio! Settled in Singapore’s bustling CBD, Upside Motion has moved in to the new OUE Downtown Gallery at 6A Shenton Way.

To be honest, I was a bit weary of this new location. Malls irritate me; bottom line. And when I heard the new studio would be in a mall, I was a bit disappointed. But when I drove past OUE Downtown, I literally did a double take. The building is gorgeous. After I did the double take, I realized this was the new spot for our studio! I couldn’t wait to see pictures and plans.

My summer holiday is over, and I come back to Singapore to Upside Motion’s new studio. It is more beautiful than I could have imagined. With 2 huge group studios and a private Reformer studio, they knock it out of the park. This is by far the nicest fitness studio I’ve seen in Singapore.

Step aside from the studios and you will find a relaxing zen zone to chill out before or after class. There is even a work space if you want to get out of the office for a while. No need to worry about how much you sweat in class because Upside Motion now has a stylish locker room with showers and vanities. Due note, it is unisex, so don’t get too comfortable after that steamy shower!

I will note it is a bit tricky to find. So give yourself plenty of time before class or your session. Look for the travellator to go down to The Providore on B1. You will see signs above while on the travellator that will direct you to Upside Motion. You do have to walk through The Providore, so brace yourself; temptation!

As of right now, my schedule at the Shenton studio is below. Check out my full class schedule on my website! See you at the barre.

Monday | 7:30pm | Xtend Barre

Wednesday | 7:30pm | Xtend Barre

Hunting for Pilates

Posted on October 22, 2015 by l2method

Hunting for Pilates

The moment I find out we are moving to San Diego I start researching Pilates and Barre studios in our new city. I am bombarded with google results. Now, in the back of my head I know I will be starting at Equinox as soon as they open their doors, so my research is less about finding a studio to teach at and more about finding a studio to work out at.

Disclaimer: Most studios will remain nameless.

My first class was terrifying. There, I said it. First of all, I google this Pilates “chain” as I have been hearing so much about it. Being new to the area, I have no idea where anything is, but assume it can’t be that far. This studio has several locations all over San Diego and I pick the one closest to me. Still a 20 minute drive, I arrive to the studio and am a bit put off. An office park, literally off the highway. Hmmm, interesting. I go in, and feel as though I’m arriving for a dentist appointment or to see my dad for lunch. I take the elevator up and stroll down the halls, looking for the suite number. It’s a door; a wooden door. I have no idea whether or not to go in, if there was a class going on, or if I should just wait out in the hallway. Luckily the instructor shows up and opens the door to showcase a freezing cold room full of 15-20 Reformers. I would count, but I am so cold and confused I forget. There are about 10 of us in the class, with several open Reformers. The instructor never introduces herself, never asks about prior Pilates experience and never asks if anyone has any injuries. I do have an injury, so it would be nice to know that the instructor is aware of this.

We spend 25 minutes doing footwork on medium to heavy springs. Then we stay on our backs and do work with our hands in the straps, on a heavy spring. I have a neck injury that would have probably been getting worse if I didn’t know how to modify to lighter springs. Could you imagine if someone else in the class had an injury and had no idea how to modify? I’m scared for the other 9 students. OK, it’s now 35 minutes into class and I still haven’t felt my abs. We finally get up and grab the box for short box. There are 10 people in class and maybe 2 people are in correct positions. We are hanging off the box, one leg out kicking up and down, really working 100% in the hip flexors. Great. Never once correcting anyone. How could she? She is on the reformer doing the workout with us. After some planks and finishing with feet in straps our class is over.

I go back for a second class because I have a 2 class pass. It is the same exact class. Word for word, cue for cue. I haven’t been back. My biggest concern was honestly for the safety of the students in the class. When done incorrectly Pilates can be dangerous. Not to mention ineffective.

Next, I try a studio I haven’t heard of before but came recommended by a local. Like the other studio, they offer an incredible first time client deal so I go for it. They offer several different locations so I pick one that is close to my husband’s office so I can go after I drop him off in the morning. Located in a run down shopping plaza with neighbors that include 24 hour fitness, Buffalo Wild Wings, Jo-Ann Fabrics, and Famous Footwear just to name a few, I finally find the studio. I open the doors and I just see Reformers. Endless Reformers. I count 25. This studio caps the classes at 25! How in the world is one to get an effective and safe Pilates workout when there are so many students in the class? After starting the workout which is very similar to the prior studio I had tried, I notice the instructor’s voice is constant. Meaning, I hear her somewhere in the distance, but she never seems to get closer or further away. I realize it is because she is doing the workout with us! How am I supposed to know that I am straight, aligned, and in the correct position to engage the proper muscles? As a Pilates instructor I know that I need eyes on me, let alone the 24 other people who probably are not instructors and need those eyes even more. Again, I was terrified for the other students.

I try a few other studios and have similar experiences. I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that the market is saturated with studios that have lost the roots, authenticity and basic principles that Pilates was founded on, and should have. Now I’m questioning what I should be doing over the next several months before Equinox opens. All I have to say is that my Pilates team at Equinox is going to bring that strong presence of classical Pilates back to the San Diego area and blow everyone away.

Now, I do find that there are classical instructors in San Diego; they are just hard to find. But I find them. I came across Jessica Janae through an Amazon deal, where she was offering an introductory rate for a package of private sessions. When I see this I look into her and her background and am springing out of my chair when I see that she is trained and certified through Power Pilates! Janae Luxe Pilates Studio is a small one woman (Jessica) shop with stylish decor and PEAK Pilates equipment. She doesn’t strive to compete with all these big franchise studios by offering big classes with dozens of people to drive the cost down for the students. She doesn’t have to. The method speaks for itself. She honors this, and teaches true to Joe; in a private, one on one environment.

With my detailed google search I find another classical instructor who has worked with and trained under proteges of Ron Fletcher and Romana Kryzanowska. I quickly realize she is the owner and founder of Armone’s Core Connection right in my neighborhood. I decide to contact Armone to see if maybe she wanted to talk about potential teaching opportunities. I mean, it’s been a month and I’m itching to start teaching again. Being able to walk there in 15 minutes is an added bonus. I arrive to the studio and instantly think to myself, “this is going to be good.” With only 6 Reformers, 1 Cadillac and a Chair, Armone keeps classes small and focuses on private training, as a Pilates studio should. She invites me in for the week to take class and get a feel for the clients and classes. After my first class I was sold. With class sizes capped at 6 and clear distinctions between level 1, 2 and 3 classes I can tell that I’m going to enjoy teaching the incredibly strong clientele.

Starting now I am available for private sessions at Armone’s Core Connection! A single session is $75, or you can buy a package of 10 for $700. Not a bad deal for private sessions! Stay tuned for a class schedule!

Starting in Spring 2016 I will be back at Equinox, in the studio, as the Pilates Coordinator. Equinox La Costa will be the club’s first San Diego club. I will also be back in the group fitness studio teaching barre, Pilates Mat, and fusion classes.

Armone’s Core Connection is located at 7438 Girard Avenue in the Village of La Jolla.

Equinox La Costa is located at 7710 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009. Memberships now available. 760.268.9657.

Happy New Year!

Posted on January 3, 2015 by l2method

Happy New Year!

Well, we all made it through another year. I don’t know about you, but 2014 was a whirlwind for me. I made it through my first year of marriage, traveled to eight different countries, relocated halfway around the world and started a life in San Francisco. Looking back a year ago, I never would have thought I would be where I am today. So I begin to think about this time next year, and get so excited about all the possibilities 2015 will bring.

So like everyone, I have made a few new years resolutions.

One | Travel more. My husband and I are missing the expat life a bit, mostly because of all the travel we did, and all the amazing things we got to see and experience. Don’t get me wrong, San Francisco has dozens of amazing things to see, but I want to explore more. This doesn’t necessarily mean I need a stamp in the old passport every month, but a two hour drive outside of the city to the gorgeous Santa Cruz Mountains or a road trip to Lake Tahoe. I also want to visit our neighbors up north in Portland, Seattle, and even Canada! Yay, passport usage!

TWO | Me time. Starting a new job, and getting the Pilates studio at Equinox up and running has been a huge and exciting challenge. I will be the first to admit I have, more times than not, put that studio and my team ahead of myself. I will continue to do that, because I love my job and my team is absolutely amazing, but I am going to make more of an effort to push the pause button and go on a weekend trip or take a class outside of the studio.

THREE | Make juice. My husband wins. He bet we would not use our juicer that we got as a wedding gift before 2015. We have taken it out of the box, but it is still sitting happily on a very high shelf. I’m not sure what’s holding us back; the huge mess it will make and cleanup it will require, or just simply getting on a step ladder and lifting the huge thing off of the very high shelf. We live in the land of farmer’s markets, and have access to the country’s best fruits and veggies. There is no excuse. We WILL make juice. And it will be delicious.

I don’t like making huge resolution lists, because let’s be honest, it’s way more rewarding to conquer all than just a few. To me, the new year means new beginnings, a fresh start, and most importantly becoming a better, healthier YOU.

If one of your 2015 resolutions is to get fit, check out my group class schedule at Equinox Union St., recently voted one of the best gyms in America!

Monday

12PM | Pilates Barre

4:30PM | Pilates Power Play

7PM | Reformer Semi Private *fee and sign up required

Wednesday

6AM | Barre Bootcamp *Equinox Pine St.

5:30PM | Pilates Power Play

7:30PM | Barre Burn

Thursday

6:30PM | Reformer Semi Private *fee and sign up required

Friday

8:30AM | Mat Pilates

Saturday

10:30AM | Pilates Power Play

Calling All SF Pilates Instructors!

Posted on October 15, 2014 by l2method

Calling All SF Pilates Instructors!

As a Pilates instructor, the studio you teach at has a huge impact on your career and your presence in your city. Like the neighborhood you choose to live in, it shapes who you are. For some, instructors will always teach in a small boutique studio focusing on private sessions and with few intimate classes. For others instructors may never work in a studio but choose to run all over the city from house to house to studio to gym. The environment a Pilates instructor chooses to work in is very much directly related to that person’s personality, values and style.

Teaching at Equinox is so unique, in that it is like having your very own small studio within a huge fitness facility. You also have a huge presence, being in front of 3,000 plus members. As a Pilates instructor at Equinox you have the opportunity to also teach group Mat Pilates, barre and fusion classes within the group fitness department which increases your presence dramatically. For me, there is no better adrenaline rush than getting up in front of 40 students to lead them in a workout. All of a sudden people you don’t necessarily recognize at first, are saying hi to you on the street. You are changing so many people’s lives without evening realizing it.

The Pilates studio at Equinox is a little piece of heaven amongst an energy fueled, music pumping, beautiful people filled gym. Working with top of the line Peak equipment, we keep the Pilates experience authentic. Taking new members through perhaps their very first Pilates workout, you have the opportunity to earn them as a longtime client. You literally have over 2,000 potential clients to work with. Every member at Equinox could be your client.

With working for a huge company like Equinox, there come many perks. The monetary result is directly influenced by how well you build your business. But aside from that, Equinox offers its full time employees a very comprehensive benefits package with health insurance, dental care, eye care, 401k, maternity leave, 40% all services at the spa and training sessions and our shop. There are opportunities to grow within the company as a teacher. Equinox now has a comprehensive certification program where our teachers have the opportunity to become teacher trainers. Your career doesn’t have to be just teaching session after session. We want to see our instructors grow into something great.

I am working on building my Pilates team at Equinox Union St. in San Francisco. I need fun, enthusiastic, dedicated instructors who care as much as building the team as they do building their own business. I want the Pilates studio to be the place every member wants to be. I want the whole town talking about our instructors and our studio. Be a part of it.

SG, You’ve Been Good to Me

Posted on May 22, 2014 by l2method

SG, You’ve Been Good to Me

As an expat, you wonder when this moment will come; saying goodbye. It’s quite bittersweet, actually. I am so excited to be back in the US, closer to friends and family. But, at the same time I am so sad to have to say goodbye to the place I have called home for the past 2 years. When my husband and I would fantasize about our grand departure from Singapore, it included a 2 week holiday in New Zealand, and weeks of goodbye festivities leading up to departure day. Unfortunately, life doesn’t work out the way you think it should. John Lennon said it best when he said, “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”

My husband, Steve’s, job will be taking us back to the US at the end of May. I wish it wasn’t happening so fast! I haven’t even had time to get excited about going back, nor have I had time to weep about having to say goodbye to friends and clients. I did, however, want to take time to tell you all how much I am going to miss you, and how much you have helped make Singapore feel like home.

Over the past 2 years, I’ve seen clients get engaged, get married, work through injuries, have babies, have more babies, and I’ve seen some go through their own Pilates instructor training. I’ve seen their their bodies change, and I’ve seen their whole self change. Looking back, it is so incredibly rewarding to see not only how you all have grown, but how you have helped me to become a better teacher.

These past 2 years have also been so insanely crazy, when I think back. Steve and I have been so fortunate to have been able to see so many parts of this part of the world. Our travels started with a weekend trip to Bali, which turned into going back 4 other times. It then turned into 2 trips to Phuket, 3 trips to Rawa Island, Tokyo, Cambodia, Laos, Saigon, Bintan, Melbourne, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Borneo, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Central Java and the Gili Islands. Not only when I stop and take a moment to look back to where we have been, do I realize that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and really only one that you are only able to get while living out here.

There are so many things I’m going to miss about Singapore, it would be hard to list them all. Most, though, are things that only the expats living here would truly understand. I am excited for the first moment I meet a former Singapore expat in the US, when we can talk about how the things that annoyed us the most are the things we miss the most.

If you are in Singapore for the week of May 26, please come by my last few classes. I am teaching a special last class on Thursday May 29 at 7PM. Pilates on the Patio will be held at Upside Motion, City Hall. I really hope to see you all at some point next week. And THANK YOU so much for all of your hard work, friendships and awesomeness. Bye bye Singapore. We will see you soon, lah. Can?

Why I LOVE Luon Light

Posted on September 25, 2013 by l2method

Why I LOVE Luon Light

…and why Lululemon should never stop making it! I’ve always liked the Power Y Tank from Lululemon, and would occasionally pick one up if I saw it in a killer color. But after I discovered the Power Y Tank in Luon Light, I find it hard to put on any one of my old ones. The super light fabric feels so incredibly good and I find it a bit more flattering too.

I know it seems crazy, but lighter fabric also feels cooler. It is so light it almost feels like I’m not wearing anything! Living in Singapore, I try to find any and everything that will help me to stay cool. Aside from my other favorite, the No Limits Tank which keeps things quite breezy without showing too much skin, the Power Y Tank in Luon Light is my ultimate choice.

Another reason why I love the lighter Power Y Tank is because the support it gives is perfect. At times, I sometimes feel so constricted by the heavy material. This tank gives support, without taking away your curves. It hugs and lifts in all the right places. It also stays put. When holding a plank or working my push-ups, sometimes I take a peek to make sure I’m not flashing the girls, and well there are times when my top is not fitted right and even with the built in bra it hangs showing a bit too much. WIth the Power Y, it’s always fitted perfectly, keeping everything where it should be.

So at the end of the day, Dear Lululemon, please keep making the Power Y Tank in Luon Light!!!!

xoxo,

Laura

We Are Human Too!

Posted on September 19, 2013 by l2method

We Are Human Too!

Believe it or not, when I, a Pilates and Barre instructor, take class I am in the same boat you are. My muscles are shaking, sweat pouring off my face, wanting so badly to give up as it just keeps getting harder and harder. People think because I teach Pilates and fitness classes I am a tank and am in the best shape of my life. Quite the opposite actually. At times, I am teaching 10 classes or clients a day. This doesn’t in any way mean I am working out for 10 hours a day and getting paid for it, which is what many people think. The busier I get, the more out of shape I get because there simply just are not enough hours in the day!

As a teacher I am absolutely not the type to get in front of the class, put music on and workout hoping everyone behind me follows what I am doing in perfect form. Yes, I demonstrate a few reps of an exercise, but after that I am walking around, yelling out cues and getting right behind you, correcting your form. Call me crazy, but I am genuinely interested in your progress, and I care more about giving you an effective workout than I am of burning a few hundred calories myself.

For the week before my wedding, my husband and I took TWO Core Fusion classes a day. Core Fusion is another barre-based workout, and my personal favorite. I have been taking these classes since 2007 and it still beats me, every time. I really should have recorded myself in class just to prove to you that we teachers find it just as hard as you do! My legs were shaking uncontrollably during thigh work at the barre, my standing leg was cramping during seat work and my abs were on fire! But I loved every minute of it. As I’m sure you all do too, right? For that week that I had to myself with the time to focus on me and only me, I have never felt better.

I will always be the first to admit that what you do in class is not easy, and I never find it easy. I am amazed every class with the hard work you put in. When you think I’m crazy pushing you harder than you have ever felt, it is because I think you can all handle it! Keep an eye out for me in class with you soon. I’ll try not to chicken out!

Introducing, L2

Posted on August 22, 2013 by l2method

Introducing, L2

Since 2009 I have been known as Laura Stevenson Pilates. It was in 2009 when I decided to teach Pilates full time and turn my passion into my career. Since then, I have experienced a lot of change in my life. Moving to Arizona, then back to Boston, then to Singapore. Teaching in small studios to nationally recognized studios, to creating a YouTube channel essentially teaching all around the world to students all around the world. The biggest change happened on August 10, 2013, when I married Stephen Lampert. I’ve been thinking for a while what I will call myself after I am married. I knew I always wanted to change my name, but how would that affect my Pilates brand?

Laura Lampert. LL. L “squared”. L2. I don’t want to simply just be L2 Pilates, because over the years I’ve evolved into so much more than just a Pilates instructor. I want to brand myself as a lifestyle, a way of life, a method. This past year I have learned so much about who I am and what I want to become. I have been on so many adventures and have seen so much of this world we live in. I want to share that all with you! You will get to experience some of my life abroad, looking to me for travel tips and who knows, maybe even plan your next trip off of my blogs! It will also be about fashion, healthy eating and living life to its absolute fullest.

The L2 Method. The “method” encompasses all that I am, as a teacher, person and friend. As a teacher this includes Pilates and barre. As a person this represents my experiences traveling around the world, my love for fashion and overall how to live a healthy happy life. And lastly as a friend, I want everyone to be able to interact with me, no matter where you are in the world! Whether you have questions, comments or need advice, I will always be here!

My new site is far from complete. So stay tuned for new pages, posts, videos and more.

xoxo,

Laura Lampert, L2

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