Mat Pilates 101

With an emphasis on creating strength that radiates from your core, Mat Pilates makes an ideal complement to yoga. This program will breakdown the essentials of the practice—from its basic principles to its classic postures. You'll lengthen and tone your muscles using precise, controlled movements, and learn to tap into your body's inner power. While the program starts slowly, so you can master the proper technique, be prepared for the challenge to accelerate throughout the first week.

Week 1

Core Principles

Kristin McGee • Mat Pilates

Get to know the six principles of Pilates, and apply them throughout a basic mat class. You'll practice classic postures like the hundred and the roll up, while learning to fully engage your core. The foundational techniques you learn throughout this class will support the more challenging sequences to come.

Origins of Pilates

Kristin McGee • Mat Pilates

Pilates is all about learning how to lead from your core. Learn a bit of history as you review the mat concepts you've learned so far. You'll add on some new movements, like the abdominal series and the saw, and practice generating your movements from your center.

Basic Breathing

Kristin McGee • Mat Pilates

Your breath will help you stay connected and focused, just as it does in your yoga practice. Today you'll learn all about TVA breathing, the core breathwork technique used in Pilates. Once you become comfortable with this new way of breathing, you'll practice incorporating it as you learn some new movements.

Week 2

Focus Within

Kristin McGee • Mat Pilates

Pilates, like yoga, is a type of meditative movement. The breath is used as an anchoring tool to enhance your focus and mind/body connection. Start with a seated meditation to connect with your core, where your true nature resides. Try to stay present as you begin to move, learning new postures like tick tock and corkscrew.

Balance is Strength

Kristin McGee • Mat Pilates

A strong core is essential for balance. See how engaging your core helps to stabilize your body as you move through a sequence including mermaid and side plank. As you continue to strengthen your body's powerhouse, you'll find you can move with more ease and control.

Bring It All Together

Kristin McGee • Mat Pilates

Both yoga and Pilates are inspired by nature and help us connect with the natural world. Learn more about this union throughout your final practice, which will review everything you've learned so far. You may find that you want to repeat this total-body workout to keep improving your technique and getting stronger.

Practice wherever you want,
whenever you need.

With over 8,000 classes on demand, you can experience the benefits of your practice at home or on the go, on any device. You can even download your favorite classes so they’re always available to you.

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Week 1

Week 2

Practice wherever you want, whenever you need.

Practice wherever you want,
whenever you need.