“It can be confusing to coordinate breath properly with the movement, but my rule of thumb is, if you can’t do it and breathe, don’t do it. “I keep my own practice to under 40 minutes, but I honestly think that even five minutes of constructive movement can be incredibly effective,” he says.īefore you get started on the movements below, keep these three tips from Benjamin in mind:ġ.
#Pilates moves names full#
Studies have found that it can result in increased athletic performance, improved mindfulness and mental well-being, better balance, and even relief from low-back pain.Īlthough Benjamin says the ideal is a full Mat workout three times a week, even just a few minutes of regular at-home practice will work wonders.
The advantages of a regular Pilates Mat practice don’t end there, either. “On a physical level, the benefits include strength and mobility-building as well as improved circulation, body awareness and uniform development of the body.” “The Mat exercises can be done anytime and anywhere, as long as there’s enough space to move and enough protection for the spine (a towel or mattress will do when on the road),” Benjamin points out. Plus, you can’t beat the bang for your buck. “I love that the Mat exercises, if done in the full sequence, truly address the body in its entirety and progress logically from the Hundred to the Push Up." “We have to find high levels of coordination and control within ourselves to successfully practice on the Mat.”ĭespite its difficulty, it’s hard to argue that the Mat repertoire is anything but genius. The Mat is where most people begin their exploration of Pilates, only to learn that the system of Pilates Mat exercises is one hardest pieces in the Pilates puzzle to master,” he says.
“The Pilates Matwork is an important part of the original Pilates method.
Twelve years later, I’m not only measurably more flexible and graceful in my movement, but I still regard the Mat exercises - a sequence of 34 body-weight exercises devised by Joseph Pilates in his aptly titled book, Return to Life - as some of the most challenging work within the Pilates repertoire.īenjamin Degenhardt, Pilates Anytime teacher and founder of 360° Pilates, backs me up. At the end of that hour-long Mat class, after taking every modification thrown my way (“bend your knees” “keep your head down” “just breathe!”), I was humbled to my core - literally. I quickly understood that I’m neither naturally flexible nor coordinated. Having been a straightlaced cardio queen, running and spinning my heart out on the regular, I sauntered into class feeling confident in my athletic abilities.albeit a little intimidated. Like many of us, I’ll never forget my first a Pilates Mat experience.
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