Why do themed and prop mat classes?
“Physical fitness can neither be achieved by wishful thinking, nor outright purchase.” ~ Joseph H. Pilates
When you read my class descriptions, you’ll see that I mention weekly themes and props to help with your Pilates practice. You may wonder why. And here it is in a Cliff Notes’ version: it takes practice to get the correct techniques, so you have to continue to practice to get the benefits and rewards of this wonderful practice. At no time can you think you can check something off your list, or think that you’ve mastered it, and can move on. For any of you mathematically inclined, perhaps you’ll recall from geometry class learning about asymptote. That is Pilates right there. If you don’t recall asymptote, the definition is a line that continually approaches a given curve but does not meet it at any finite distance. Strive for progress, not perfection, each and every time you practice Pilates.
With my weekly themes for group mat classes, it’ll bring a focus to your practice for that week. The weekly themes are to help you find the internal, postural connections within your body so the techniques, the “how”, the movement of the exercises are important. Even the setup and the end of the exercises are important as well. We focus on a particular connection for the entire session of the week in hopes that week after week these connections become building blocks for your practice. That the connections become muscle memory that you can access time and time again. It’s only in repeating shapes that the body learns how to hold itself in many different planes and angles the body will find itself.
With my introduction of props for group mat classes, it’ll bring feedback on what’s missing in your practice for that week. Without the prop, we’re working with air and gravity, and that may not be enough to know how to engage a muscular connection. The props allow you to explore, discover, investigate what is missing in your practice, what you need more of or less of in your practice, and to help you find that connection when you don’t have a prop.
Now, here’s the thing about props. They can be tools to teach, or crutches to be dependent on. Of course, we only want these as tools. So, try a couple of reps with props, and then a couple more reps without, and see if you can do the exercises with the right connections that you learned from the prop. Again, this is the muscle memory and repeating shapes that I mentioned before.
Here’s a list of props that I introduce in my group mat classes, and what their purpose is:
Let’s start with the most (un)popular Pilates prop – the Magic Circle! This props adds resistance to exercises to provide muscular feedback of proximal connections (where your limbs connect to your torso/trunk), and isometric connections (similar to how springs teach this).
Other props used in Pilates:
Squishy ball – Helps strengthen your core and posture when used as feedback in exercises.
Weights – Strengthen and tone muscles in your upper body and core. Aids in a “reformer on the mat” experience.
Theraband – Good for conditioning and rehabbing muscles. Helps build muscle strength.
Towel – There are good foot exercises to do with a towel. Or you can hold a towel between the hands to replicate a bar, or for some shoulder stretches.
This is the first prop I introduced in group mat class when we were meeting in-person! Remember those days! Stress relief balls – Helps increase focus/attention when used as feedback in exercises.
Finally, I’ve recently introduced a Chair, like one you have sitting in your dining room, or a folding chair. Good if you have limited mobility. It can help challenge your core balance, and improve your posture and strength.
Have I piqued your interest in joining my group mat class? I hope so! Find home substitutes for props I listed above here, or make a purchase if you’re ready! See what I’ve listed for your Pilates Bound At Home Kit!