What Is Pilates Mat Work

Not only are mat exercises the most challenging since you don t have the spring resistance to work against but they are also the most revealing when it comes to asymmetry in the body.

What is pilates mat work.

Mat pilates is a series of exercises from within the pilates method designed specifically to be performed on a mat. In pilates you ll want a thicker mat that provides more cushioning and padding for rolling floor work and side lying work these mats are typically 1 4 to 1 2 inch thick. Joseph pilates developed this exercise methodology in the early 1900s and it borrows from disciplines such as dance yoga and classic calisthenics. The top layer is soft and smooth so moving between poses is easy.

Mat pilates is a series of fundamental core based exercises performed simply on the mat. The base of this pilates mat has a ribbed pattern built right into the foam that really grips the floor to ensure that it stays put. Pilates mat work is a series of exercises that are done on the floor without pilates machines. The attention to the flow of movement and to the core muscles is the same as when you do pilates on the machines and mat work is a challenging workout in its own right.

How pilates on a mat works. Pilates mat work is often done in live classes which are much easier to find than reformer sessions. Many pilates experts recommend mat classes as the best bet for beginners. Pilates can be taught in a specialised pilates studio or in an open area with mats and small equipment.

Or you can go to a gym or studio that has special equipment a class or a trainer who can supervise you. Mat pilates is a way to stretch and strengthen your body primarily the muscles of the core which span from your hips to your shoulders. Thinner mats such as. Both studio apparatus and matwork can be taught privately or in small groups most classes last between 60 90 minutes.

It is composed of very soft foam that your hands will sink into as you lean into difficult poses. Joseph pilates the founder of the pilates method which he originally called contrology developed mat exercises that were quite similar to the work done on pilates machines the reformer the cadillac the chair the barrel. From there the exercises establish how to integrate the legs and arms into core work. Mat work is my favorite part of the pilates repertoire.