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Pilates Mat- Exercises On Floor made easy!!!
Pilates mat exercises are the bare basics of the Pilates exercise invented by Joseph Pilates in the Early 1910. First of all, your idea of Pilates must have included something with machines that have springs and bands, but Pilates can also be done without machines, just a simple mat, and this is called Pilates mat work, or simple Pilates mat.
The Pilates mat workout is an aerobic routine that stretches and strengthens the entire body. There are moves specifically designed to increase strength and mobility in the upper and lower body, with special emphasis on the arms, legs, buttocks, and abs. The result is a firmer, more sculptured appearance.
The Size of the Mat
- A good Pilate’s mat is at least a half inch thick. I see a lot of thinner mats marketed as Pilates mats, but they are really just yoga cross-over mats.
- A Pilate’s mat should also be firm. A mat that is too soft will not support balance and alignment properly.
- Make sure that the mat is long enough and wide enough. Typical roll up mat lengths are 72" - 86", though I have seen them as short as 56". Widths vary from 21" to 39". There are also folding mats, similar to the kinds of mats found in studios, and those are usually significantly larger, 4' by 8' for example.
Pilates Mats vs. Yoga Mats
Pilates and yoga mats are similar in that they are about the same size and used for exercises done on the floor. However, a Pilates mat needs to be thicker than most yoga mats. Because there are so many standing poses in yoga, mats used for yoga have to let the practitioner feel the floor. This is not so important with a Pilates mat. In fact, Pilate’s mats are thicker so that we are padded from the floor. Believe me, rolling exercises like Seal and Open Leg Rocker, are no fun without padding! Also, yoga mats are sticky, designed to prevent slipping, a hazard which is not as likely with Pilates exercises.
What you need for a Pilates mat exercise
Pilates Mat exercises have been considered very beneficial, especially for those who want stronger abdominal muscles and a stronger core.
The other benefit of a Pilates mat exercise is its sheer lack of exercise equipment. Unlike other Pilates exercises, this only requires you, as the name says, a Pilates mat. And you’re ready to go, of course every Pilates exercise requires you some sort of instructor, either a real one, or a video, to tell you what to do, or if what you’re doing is correct, which brings us to the question of do I really need an instructor? And the answer is yes, every exercise needs an instructor, even something you might think as simple as a Pilate’s mat exercise won’t look very simple once you’re in a hospital bed. Pilates mat exercises can be very advanced body work, and doing it wrongly can as with every type of work out, gives you injuries. A Pilates mat instructor has to be certified by a qualified school make sure that your instructor has real qualifications before you take Pilates mat classes.
Some of the benefits of Pilates mat exercises are:
- Strengthening and lengthening and of muscles
- Building core strength, particularly of abdomen, gluteus and thighs.
- Rehabilitation from injury
- Correcting postures and movements
- Refining breathing patterns
- Fine tune balance and control
- Establishing harmonious mind-body connection
Summary:
The exercises performed on the mat help you to rejuvenate your core muscle groups, and allow you to gain vital body control. So, Joseph Pilates often called it ‘Contrology’.
Also, these mat exercises can be done by everybody — persons of all ages and of either sex. There is only one thing that needs to be emphasized at this stage. Depending on an individual’s health, more appropriate exercises could be done under the guidance of an expert.
Pilate’s mat exercises can also be done with wall springs, flex rings, rotator discs and gym balls. Remember, Pilates mat exercises will not provide cardio-vascular workout but will enhance your strength, flexibility and co-ordination.
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