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Joseph Pilates originally created a repertoire of Mat Pilates exercises to heal himself making this Pilates Method the OG of all Pilates Methods. Mat work is extremely versatile and even if you can’t visit us in Denver it can be practiced anywhere you have enough room to lay a mat down...enter, Virtual Pilates Classes! At Pilates by Ness, we try to incorporate Mat Pilates into every session and it becomes a vital part of your home exercise program.
This method practiced on the mat includes around 500 exercises that can be practiced anywhere. There are plenty of modifications and progressions for each of the many exercises to fit what is right for your body, age, and fitness goals!
Mat Pilates can be practiced by any level of mover from beginners to advanced Pilates bodies. The exercises are very easily advanced as you improve and you will notice great changes in your posture, balance, and flexibility. You will also notice an overall change in focus, breathing and, stress management.
This method is a great option for beginners but it is still recommended that you begin with a Private Session until you're comfortable with your instructor, the movements, and the terminology. One of the most common comments we receive from beginners to Pilates is that they never knew they had some of these muscles. Therefore, it is important to take things slowly and listen to your body. Mat exercises should be very deliberate and practice makes perfect. An emphasis is placed on smaller movements rather than moving into your fullest range of motion. If we were to recommend how often you should practice Mat Pilates, we would say at least twice a week whether that’s an in-home session on your own or a Private Session at Pilates by Ness.
Home exercises are an extremely important part of your practice. It takes more than one 55 minute Private Session a week to create changes in your body. Self-accountability can be challenging for most of us which is why we take it slow and only give you a few exercises at a time to work up to a full routine. The more consistent you practice your exercises at home the quicker you will see results and the more we can accomplish in the studio.
As a beginner, you might feel frustrated with these new movements being introduced to your body. Do your best to be patient and remember bigger and faster is not always better. Slow down your movements and make them smaller, the benefits will be infinite. Breathwork is the number one principle in Pilates and a large portion of proper engagement throughout the body comes from intentional breathing. You can also expect to use a number of small props in your mat repertoire. These can include but are not limited to props like the Foam Roller, Spine Corrector, Small Balls, and The Magic Circle. Remember this a new movement practice that you’re introducing to your body. The goal shouldn’t be perfection, that makes Pilates unattainable. Try to set realistic goals for yourself and watch yourself improve with consistent practice.
As you advance into a more intermediate Pilates mover, the exercises will become more advanced and you will be required to rely on your own body awareness more and more. It is important at this level to listen to your body and communicate with your instructor if you don’t understand the movement or if it is causing pain. You can now increase the frequency of your practice up to 3 or maybe 4 times a week! They can vary in level of difficulty to fit your needs. We look forward to how many changes you’ll start to quickly notice in your body. Pilates is not meant to be limited to a physical change but rather to total body health. It digs deep into your mental being and can offer great improvements to your stress levels promoting better mental health as well as physical health.
