Mat Pilates Class

[lis1]

I was wondering if anyone has taken a mat pilates class? They offer one at my gym, but I heard that "real" pilates (the kind that fit, toned celebs swear by) involves those big, pricey machines and a private instructor (because you need to have great form for results).

Any opinions?? Any results from a mat class?
Thanks

 

[Debra]

They're a great intro to Pilates and continue to be worthwhile if the class/instructor progresses. The mat class instructor I had did recommend a private session for anyone with some physical limitations (e.g. back problems) before they started mat class. But for most people, learning the basics in mat class is a good idea even if they can afford private sessions. Assuming the instructor is qualified, you will learn "real" Pilates in mat class.

 

[Lynda]

I am taking a mat Pilates course right now. I don't know what I think of it yet--very ambivalent. I have a hard time really feeling some of the subtle moves, and I just don't get the idea of keeping my spine partially arched while lying on my back. I also feel like I am hyperventilating with some of the moves--so much breathing! Now that some of the moves have become more difficult, demanding more strength, I seem to be doing better. I feel physically relaxed and mentally exhausted when I leave the class, so I will probably continue with it. It's an add-on to my early morning sessions of aerobics and weights.

 

[Cinders]

I have taken one mat pilates class at the gym. I have been using Anna Caaban's (sp?) tape and enjoy it. I thought that I would attend a class to see how it was. I usually work the nights it is scheduled so I left early one night and went. I'm glad I did but I enjoy using my tape at home more. I enjoy pilates and it strenghtens your mid section. I just didn't like the lights at the gym and the fact that most of the class was not advance but many moves were geered toward advanced pilates. I do enjoy the gym's yoga class every week. The gym I belong to has pilates two nights a week and yoga one night a week. From what I understand the classes are packed each night.

The big machines look like they would be nice and probably provide benefits but the mat pilates is challenging and cheaper! A coworker borrowed my mat pilates tape and she is now looking for a copy for herself! Just my two cents.

 

[Lynda]

What is the name of the Anna Caaban tape and where did you buy it?

 

[kimroberts]

I have have the Ana Caban tape, too. You can buy it at the Living Arts website www.livingarts.com

There is a beginner and an intermediate.

I teach mat pilates in a gym, not a pilates studio. I tell my students that if it isn't difficult, you aren't doing it right. It should get harder every time you do it, not easier --that's backward of how us gym-folk think. Some of the most fit people at the gym can't do the most basic of moves CORRECTLY-- including me. I learned from a video and thought I was doing pretty good, until I went to a live class with a qualified instructor. After being a fitness instructor for 15 years, I was back at square one doing the most basic modifications of almost every move in order to do it CORRECTLY. It's easy to cheat yourself out of a workout because so much of Pilates relies on doing each move with perfect form. Gym-folk are geared to "getting it done" even if you have to cheat a little on the way. If you don't hold your form, you might as well be a half-dead fish flopping around on the floor.

And as for the 6-pack thing, I've got several clients who have developed their 6-pack with mat pilates, no equipment required. But you've got to be a lean person to see them. And those folks do a ton of cardio and weight lifting in addition to Pilates.

 

[gvaughn]

Pilates with machines

I just started doing Pilates in private sessions at a studio that focuses on Pilates, Gyrotonics, and Feldenkrais. They offer both private sessions and classes with four students. All the instructors are trained by Polestar, which seems to be a rigorous program. I did some Pilates on the reformer with my physical therapist, and even she does not hold a candle to this amazing instructor I'm working with now. I've really been blown away in my three sessions so far, and honest to goodness think Pilates is going to change my life. Fortunately, my medical insurance is covering part of the cost for now.

It seems to me that the mat class is very advanced--there's no help from the reformer/trapeze machine, etc. I think it would be difficult to get the full benefits without assistance because one would be concentrating on just completing the motion instead of concentrating on form. It would be the equivalent of hefting very heavy weights your first time out. There is soooo much to keep track of in Pilates--breathing; the exact position of your spine, chest, shoulders, hips, neck and head; doing the motion, activating the right muscles, etc. that I can barely do it even in a private session with someone right there to remind me. It really is training your body to hold itself in an entirely new way. It isn't just about abdominal strengthening, but also increasing your range of motion, strength, etc. with good alignment.

MHO is this: I think anyone doing a mat class or a video could get significant abdominal strengthening, but I don't think you could get the full benefits of Pilates without a lot of instruction and individual attention, i.e. in a class no bigger than four people.

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/pyth.gif Gretchen

 

[Cinders]

I have both the beginners and intermediate. I got mine at BJ's Wholesale club but you can find it at Costco, #####'s Sporting Goods, Borders Book Store and I believe Barnes and Nobel has it online. I do agree with the others that if I could afford the private lessons they would be the way to go. For me I used rewind alot in the beginning and I also purchased a book about pilates which I refer to. Don't remember the name of it but I got it at Barnes and Noble. I probably do not use the proper position 100% of the time but I have seen benefits and I feel good and I really try for the proper position. Maybe that is why I have only done the intermediate tape a couple times and I have been doing the beginner tape since about August. I just don't feel "comfortable" yet moving to the intermediate.