Category Archives: Pilates

Why I LOVE Luon Light

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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.

Power Y Tank

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.

Power Y Tank

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!

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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.

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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.

Core Fusion

Push Up

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!

What to Drink?

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What to Drink?

The other evening a client stopped me in the middle of our workout to ask a very serious question.  For expats, living in Singapore, and really probably anywhere else in the world, your social life revolves around food and alcohol to some extent.  When you meet someone new, which happens frequently, the first thing we say is “we should meet up for drinks!”  Side note, what you should really say is “I have a great Pilates instructor, let’s go take a class!”  But let’s be real, 9 times out of 10 you make plans to get drinks.  So my client who is working hard to shed the remaining bit of baby weight asks me, “what should I be drinking?” She explains there is always a glass of wine involved which turns into a bottle.  Or every now and then a craving for an ice cold beer.  Trust me, in Singapore, the jungle does that to you.  So in the battle to loose a few lbs., what is the best option?

We all know alcohol is the root of a lot of weight gain for us all.  So obviously the best answer is to cut it out entirely.  However, for most, that may not be realistic.  I am not a fan of depriving yourself of anything.  When out with friends, and drinking is involved, my most realistic answer is a vodka soda cocktail with lots of lime.  1 ounce of vodka has 64 calories.  As a wine lover myself, it’s hard for me to accept the fact that wine is not good for you.   One glass of red or white wine has around 120 calories.  If you have to choose between red or white, always choose the red, as it has less sugar.

vodka lime

Regardless of what your are drinking, the best advice I can give is to drink a glass of water after each cocktail, or even better, simultaneously with your cocktail.  There is no shame in ordering or drinking water! I do it all the time.  It will keep you hydrated and will help you get out of bed the next morning for your workout!   You will also probably drink less!  Alcohol can make your break your fitness goals, so drink wisely!

vodka soda

Introducing, L2

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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.

L2The 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

Bali