December 2024 Mat Chat
Hi friends,
It's our favorite time of the year!
It can be challenging to stick to a workout routine around now. The good news is, this year, even if you're traveling or busy hosting, you don't have to miss out on your Pilates workouts. You can take us home for the holidays! Better yet, get your friends and family on the mat with you. The more, the merrier.
We wish you a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones. Stay lengthened and strengthened and we'll see you in the new year, friends!
xoxo,
Long Lean Pilates
Studio News: Congrats, New Teachers!
We just wrapped up our Fall Cohort of our 80-Hour Mat Pilates Teacher Training! For 40 hours over 4 weekends, we dove into the teachings of Joseph Pilates, Classical Pilates, Pilates Sculpt, as well as effective cueing and teaching techniques. Basically, it's the ultimate Pilates bootcamp. There's nothing like teacher training to tune the mind and body connection – it's a transformative experience that helps you learn how each move is really supposed to feel in your body. Congratulations to all our teachers who have tested out (it takes another 40 hours!), and we can't wait to see where you will go!
Now Online: Take Us Home For The Holidays
Can't stop talking about Pilates? Now you can introduce your friends and family to The Long Lean Pilates Method from the comfort of your home – all available online:
Free 7 day trial
New classes every week
Quick burnouts for busy days: 15 min, 20 min, etc
Recommended equipment for this program
Corporate Wellness Packages
Due to popular demand, we're launching Corporate Wellness Packages for businesses of all sizes! If you work near the studio and other people in your office want to do Pilates too, we can offer everyone at your company an attractive corporate deal. Ask your HR to reach out to us!
Cozy & Classical
Classic Grey Marl Varsity 'Pilates' Hoodie
$65 – Available in studio
Perfect as a gift for your Pilates friend or for yourself. Our classic grey marl hoodie in varsity lettering is a homey way to remind yourself of the good Pilates things: Keep your neck long. Pull your ribs in. Deliciously oversized, ridiculously cozy. Come try it on in the studio!
Psst... Form Tip
When we cue "bring your chin to your chest" in a crunch, what we mean is: "Use your abs to curl up and create flexion in your spine, rather than straining your neck." If you're feeling necky or find yourself staring at the ceiling with your head suspended in the air during a crunch, it's best to perform the movement with your head down. Let your abs do the work and give your neck muscles time to strengthen until they can stay lifted comfortably by your core. You'll see – the time will come!
xoxo, Christina
Peppermint Oreo Cheesecake
I make this every year for the holiday without fail and it is always a hit. To make things easier on myself, I nowadays divide it into individual cupcakes rather than one cake.
xoxo, Christina
Crust:
28 Oreo cookies
5 tbsps unsalted butter melted
Cheesecake:
24 oz cream cheese softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
2 tbsps sour cream
2 eggs beaten lightly (room temp eggs)
10 Oreo cookies roughly chopped
Optional Topping:
3oz dark or semi sweet chocolate
Crushed candy canes for topping
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Pulse Oreo cookies in a food processor until a fine crumble. Pour in melted butter and blend until combined. Pour crumb mixture into the bottom of a cupcake pan or spring-foam pan if making cake. Bake crust for 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
Add softened cream cheese to the mixing bowl and beat for about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and beat for a few seconds more. Make sure the cream cheese is as smooth as possible, so your cheesecake doesn’t have any lumps in it.
Add the sugar and sour cream and mix at medium-low speed until combined. Scrape the bowl again and mix for 10 seconds. Add eggs and vanilla and peppermint and beat on low speed until combined for about 30 seconds to a minute. Scrape the bowl again. Add chopped Oreos and fold in by hand. Bake for 45minutes - 1 hour. The cheesecake should be jiggly but not liquidy.
In case the top of your cheesecake cracks (no one said we're professional bakers 🙃) here's how to cover up this mistake: Wait for your cheese cake to cool entirely. Melt your chocolate over a double burner. Pour on top of cheese cake and sprinkle candy cane pieces on top for a very pretty and festive cheesecake. Place in fridge for chocolate to set.
And you're all set!
We're Obsessed With
Kitsch Conditioner & Shampoo Balms
We have noticed a difference in our hair: Healthier, thicker, fuller and less split ends. I like to switch back and forth between the Rosemary & Biotin to the Castor Oil Bar. If you're headed north and need more moisture in your hair, the Castor Oil Bar is amazing and great to travel with. No more leaking shampoo bottles? Yes, please!
xoxo, Christina
What We're Reading
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Funny, bittersweet, all-too-real story of three video game designers who are a little (or a lot) in love with each other. Sounds geeky? Not really! This book takes you deep inside the creative process, romance, friendship... and reminds us what it means to grow young again.
xoxo, Krystle
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