Pilates Mat Basics with Deborah

If you’ve tried group Pilates mat classes in a gym or tried to follow them with a video, the exercises might have seemed really hard.  Often, the warm-ups are too short for stiff joints and the progressions are too quick from easy to very challenging exercises.  It’s important to build strength and coordination gradually.  This class is for beginners or experienced students who would like to review the basics of practice.

The mat exercises use not only body weight but also hand weights or rubber bands to develop core strength, including abdominals, shoulders, back, and hips.  Small props are used to adapt exercises to make them easier, bring awareness to various parts of the body, and provide challenge once skills are developed.  Although there is an emphasis on core strength development Pilates also develops flexibility, balance, coordination, and focus.