Beginners Mat Classes

We teach a number of Beginners Mat Classes at our studio. The beginners classes are Mon 11am, Wed 6pm, Thurs 6:30am, and Sat 10am. Check the mat class schedule on our website for more information.

The beginners mat classes are for total beginners and for students who want to hone their Pilates "chops" before moving onto the more challenging Intermediate classes.

I find that the great thing about teaching beginner classes is being able to see the rapid progression that most students go through. Each week I add a few more new exercises. By the last two classes, some students are breezing through the warmup and giving me a look of "OK, that was easy. Show me what else you got."

I try keep the class challenging, while at the same time focusing on the basics. While I understand the desire for even more challenge, it's always a good idea to take it slow and master the basic moves before moving onto the next level. I think of the basic matwork exercises as scales for warming up on an instrument or the basic rudiments for a drummer. If you want to master your instrument, you never abandon your scales or rudiments. The great dancer Mikhail Barishnikov once said that he always returns to the basic barre routine he learned as a child in his warmup. The further you progress, the more you realize it's these basic moves that contain the building blocks that allow you to perform the harder moves. So even if they get a little boring, it's good to keep doing them.

Here's an example of a basic Pilates matwork routine that I teach:

Warmup:
Breathing
Neutral Pelvis
Imprint & Release
Hip Release
Spinal Rotation
Hip Rolls
Cat Stretch
Arm Circles
Scapula Isolation
Head Nods

Mat Exercises:
Ab Prep
Breaststroke Prep
Hundred
Half Roll Back
Rolling like a Ball
Twist
One Leg Circle
Single Leg Stretch
Obliques
Shoulder Bridge (Prep)
Side Kick
Side Leg Series
Spine Stretch Forward
Swimming (Prep)
Swan (Prep)
Side Bend (Prep)
Push Up (Prep)

The "Preps" are beginner versions of the full exercise. Once you master the preps, you can then move on to the more challenging, full exercises in the Intermediate and Advanced levels.

New Instructor! Olivia Corrado

Olivia Corrado just started at Conscious Body Pilates a few weeks ago and already she has a pretty full schedule on Mon. Wed and Friday mornings! A Seattle native, Olivia trained at Vitality studio in Mount Baker (where she grew up) and she is a Level 1 Certified Pilates instructor. This means she completed her training in Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels and is qualified to teach at the Beginner and Intermediate level on all pieces of Pilates equipment.

Olivia spent the past year teaching Pilates in New York City at Erika Bloom studio. Trained as a dancer, she is currently pursuing her degree in Urban Planning. She hopes to continue her studies in Pilates while she finishes her degree.

Olivia is teaching the evening mat classes on Wednesdays at 6pm and 7pm. She is also available for private and semi-private lessons on Mon, Wed, and Fri from 8am to noon To book a session with Olivia, please call 709-2673 or email heathers@speakeasy.net. You can also check the website www.709core.com to check the mat class schedule.

We are very happy that Olivia Corrado has joined Conscious Body Pilates Studio!