Staying Connected This July: Teaching Tips, New Workshops & a Practice Focus

Welcome to my July update, a space where I share practical teaching insights, fresh inspiration for your Pilates practice, and news on what’s happening in my Zoom studio and beyond.

A Gentle Yoga Flow to Reset

This month, I’m thrilled to share something a little different. Alongside my Pilates teaching, I’m also a certified yoga instructor, and I recently had the chance to create a 15-minute yoga flow for Fit and Well. This beginner-friendly sequence is designed to help you feel looser, more limber, and ready to move with ease. It focuses on mobility, functional release, and connecting breath with movement, perfect if you’ve been feeling tight, stuck at your desk, or simply need a mindful reset.

A special thank you to Balanced Body for recommending me and to Fit and Well for publishing this piece and helping spread the joy of feel-good movement.

👉 Yoga Flow

July Class Pause & August Return

My weekly online Mat 1 + Movement Principles and Mat 2 classes will be on hiatus this July, but I’ll be back in August with a brand-new Mixed Level Mat class. This class will blend Balanced Body® Movement Principles with Mat 1, Mat 2, and Mat 3 repertoire, so you can build strength and skill at any level.

In the meantime, stay connected with your practice on my YouTube Channel - - you’ll find several free classes there to keep you moving.

New Summer Workshops

This summer, I’m teaming up with Melissa Kakavas, owner and director of Remedy Movement, to offer special summer review workshops for students preparing for their final Balanced Body test-out:

• Reformer Review — July 25 Registration Link

• Apparatus Review — August 22 Registration Link

If you’re training for certification, these sessions are a supportive way to refine your skills and feel confident going into your test-out. Spots are limited, register early!

Next Stop: Charlotte, NC

I’m excited to head to Charlotte this July to teach Reformer 1 at Balanced PT & Pilates, July 19–20. If you’re ready to take your Reformer teaching skills deeper, this is a wonderful place to start. Space is very limited - - reserve your spot soon.

Practice Focus: Why Your Adductors & Abductors Matter

Balanced, functional movement depends greatly on the strength and control of your adductors (inner thighs) and abductors (outer hips and glutes). These muscle groups stabilize the pelvis, align the hips, and support a healthy gait and posture.

When strong and integrated, they boost core stability, protect the lower back, and ease stress on the knees and ankles. Whether you’re flowing through the Side-Lying Leg Series on the Mat, controlling Footwork on the Reformer, or moving powerfully on the Wunda Chair, these muscles create the foundation for safe, efficient, and strong movement.

Without balanced strength here, the body compensates — which can lead to tight hips, lower back discomfort, or inefficient movement patterns. Pilates gives us a thoughtful, integrated way to train these muscles in harmony with breath and core, building ease, strength, and resilience for daily life and athletic performance.

Graphic of Adductor & Abductor Exercises

What’s your favorite way to strengthen your inner and outer thighs in Pilates? I’d love to hear what makes you feel strong, stable, and connected — share your go-to moves in the comments below!

Until next time, keep moving with intention and joy.

In movement,

Lauren