Pilates Plus

I've been writing a series of blogposts this week in order to spread the word about all the classes I will be teaching this fall. No matter whether you love to dance, lift weights, stretch, get a great massage, or mostly just relax, I have a class for you!

Pilates Plus is an hour-long matwork class offered on Tuesdays at 9:15am at Roger Carter Community Center in Ellicott City. This class begins on Sept. 12, 2017. To register online, go here: https://apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/Activity_Search?txtActivitySearch=Pilates%20Plus&applyFiltersDefaultValue=true&cat=Activities

The Pilates matwork exercises were originally created by Joseph Pilates. He brought his work from Italy to America in the 1920s. Dancers in NYC discovered his studio and began to study with him. His exercises were designed to strengthen the core, or what he termed "the powerhouse": abdominals, back, thighs, and glutes. For many decades, the only master teachers who received permission to teach Pilates were those who studied directly with him. Today, this work has been watered down to such an extent that you can find classes called "Pilates" just about anywhere. Not every instructor has had enough training to fully understand his work.

I first studied Pilates matwork in 1987, in a month-long workshop offered by one of those original Pilates master teachers in Vancouver, Canada. Thanks to this introduction, I have an in-depth understanding of the matwork and the concepts behind the exercises. Although I often offer my students modifications on the original exercises, I try to make sure we work the core in the way Joseph Pilates intended.

If you register for Pilates Plus, you can expect to learn many of the original Pilates matwork exercises, PLUS much more! The PLUS means added stuff like yoga poses and stretches, hand held dumbbells for extra challenge, stretchy bands, sliding discs, and stability balls. All the toys make Pilates more fun and interesting, but also add significant challenge to the basic matwork. All toys and equipment are always OPTIONAL. I encourage students to work at their own level and make smart choices when it comes to adding weights or other challenges.

Each class ends with gentle stretches followed by a brief relaxation. You will leave this class feeling refreshed and ready to start your day!

Intrigued, but still have questions? Leave a comment below!