MY first encounter with Pilates was on the mat when I was 15 years old after a Pilates group class flyer caught my mom’s attention at our local country club.
At the time, I had never heard of Pilates, which I incorrectly pronounced as ‘pI-lat-eez’. I remember walking into a room filled with basic stand mirrors, whirling overhead fans and about 15 middle-aged women sitting on cushy purple mats.
We spent the next 50 minutes standing, sitting, lying on our side, lying on our front and making a lot of interesting shapes. I could not recall much aside from one exercise ─ the seated arm series ─ which fascinated me ─ who knew you could work your triceps while sitting on a cushy mat!
After a series of classes that went on for eight weeks, I didn’t attend another Pilates class until my freshman year at college four years later, where I discovered Reformer Pilates (a story I will keep for another day).
These humble beginnings on the mat remind me of the importance of Pilates mat-work and how accessible it can be to many regardless of the space. As a tribute to the mat, I’m dedicating this month’s articles to March MATness.
What is March MATness?
It is a worldwide celebration of the original 34 mat exercises featured in Joseph Pilates’ seminal book, ‘Return to Life Through Contrology’. This online event was started in 2013 by Pilates teacher, Benjamin Degenhardt, who recorded video snippets of his Pilates practice on the mat while on vacation.
He went on to share these selected images ─ one mat exercise per day ─ on social media throughout the month of March.
The purpose? To start an online conversation around the original mat-work and encourage others to join in the ‘MATness’. Since then, it has become an annual tradition that is celebrated globally.
How can you be part of the ‘MATness’?
March MATness isn’t a challenge or a competition but a celebration of movement through the Pilates method. You can take part by practising the exercise of the day and sharing it on social media. If you don’t know where to start, I’ve got you covered! You can follow my Instagram account @madetomovestudio (http://instagram.com/madetomovestudio) where I not only share the exercises and how-to instructions but also helpful tips as well.
This week’s first seven exercises consist of The Hundred, Roll Up, Roll Over, One Leg Circle, Rolling Back, One Leg Stretch, and Double Leg Stretch, all of which are focused on abdominal strength, trunk stability and mobility of the spine. The best part is that these exercises don’t take up much time or space. If you’re a beginner, perform 4-6 repetitions of each exercise and if you want a challenge, progress to 8-10 repetitions.
Think of these exercises as movement snacks for your mind and body. Whether you’re taking a break from work or rolling out of bed first thing in the morning, set aside a 3-5mm exercise mat nearby so that these bite-sized routines will be within your sight and mind.
If you’ve got any questions at all or something doesn’t feel quite right, leave a comment under the exercise and I’ll be happy to help. I hope you will enjoy celebrating your month-long movement journey with me.
Happy Moving with MATness. ─ The Vibes, 10 March, 2021
