Mat Pilates
Mat Pilates strengthens your muscles, helps mobilise your joints and stretches your body.
What is Mat Pilates?
Mat Pilates is a type of exercise performed on a mat using primarily your own body weight as the resistance. Joseph Pilates, the founder of Pilates, developed this method to help disabled and injured servicemen recover. It was the first form of Pilates created before Pilates apparatus (eg. Reformer, Cadillac and Wunda Chair) were developed. Lying down (supine) on a mat is easier and more manageable for your body (especially if it’s injured) because it’s supported by gravity. So, he created the Mat Work techniques because it was the best way to develop core strength first before using any of the apparatus.
As a BASI trained instructor, I follow the BASI Block System which focuses on using all parts of your body in a class. Mat Pilates done this way strengthens your muscles, helps mobilise your joints and stretches your whole body. In classes we sometimes use simple equipment like ankle weights, resistance bands and balls. However, even without the use of equipment, your body is relying on its own resistance to strengthen the muscles and therefore support your everyday movements.
Mat Pilates is all about efficiency. It focuses on doing the exercises correctly and with precision rather than trying to do maximum repetitions. This helps your strength to develop and reduces the risk of injuring yourself. In each Mat Pilates class we start by warming up the body and preparing it for movement, helping you to become aware of your musculature. As we move through the entire body, you go from lying down to sitting, sometimes we are on all fours and then finish with standing. The knowledge of movement and musculature you gain in class can then be put into practise in your everyday life for better functional movement.
- breathe - connect - move -
Mat Pilates require focus to connect mind, body and breathing. The exercises are designed to improve muscle strength and endurance through correct movement in order to promote better posture, balance and overall wellbeing.
Why is it good for you?
Mat Pilates has so many benefits for everyone, no matter your age, body shape or fitness level. It helps to build strength and balance in your body and increases flexibility
and mobility for everyday movement.
During your class we provide a full workout for all parts of the body. This is achieved by using the BASI Block System. This
model achieves a workout that focuses on doing precise, functional movements which help you going into your everyday movement and life.
Why should people do Mat Pilates?
Mat Pilates is a great form of exercise that almost anyone can do. It focuses on all major muscle groups and each Mat Pilates class provides a functional workout to help build a strong, balanced body as well as increasing mobility and flexibility.
As you continue to do classes your posture will improve because your deep core muscles will strengthen and you will be able to have better posture without having to think about it.
This simple video explains how each of the major muscle groups is involved in everyday functional movement.
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introductory offer - your first class FREE
What do you do in Mat Pilates?
In Mat Pilates we complete a full body workout in each class, every week. The 1 hour class purposefully aims to use all parts of the body to ensure you are working all major muscle groups. In the class we cover and refine the basic movements of Mat Pilates. By focusing and drawing attention to the simple yet very effective movements, it will help build muscles and coordination to set you up to later on begin to advance in your practise.
No matter your level, we always begin with a set of fundamental exercises to warm up the body and begin to connect key muscle groups. In Mat Pilates we focus on using correct breathing to help engage the appropriate muscle groups
at a deeper level. Not only does this breathing improve your practise but it improves your body and mind connection allowing you to focus on the correct muscle groups for each movement. Mat Pilates requires concentration and
focus. It draws your attention to correct breathing and movement and through this, gives your mind a rest from other things that may be going on in your life.
The BASI block system
The BASI block system created by Rael Isacowitz, groups exercises in a logical order, ensuring progressive class organisation within an adaptable framework. This ensures the each Mat Pilates class has flow and purpose, while working all parts of the body. The Block System includes, foundation, abdominal work, spinal articulation, bridging/full body integration, lateral flexion and rotation and back extension.
Mat Pilates for Beginners
Almost anyone can do Mat Pilates. No matter your level, whether you have never done it before or
have been doing it for years, everyone should give it a go! The class benefits all people in many different ways, providing a functional workout for your body.