Pilates Technique Thursday: Honouring the Mat in March Mat Madness

Embracing March Mat Madness: Strength and control in classical Pilates single-leg stretch

As we step into March, the Pilates world turns its focus to March Mat Madness, a celebration of the foundation of the Pilates method: matwork. In recent years, there has been a strong shift towards Reformer-based training, particularly in group settings, with many studios and teachers choosing to specialise in apparatus work. However, it’s important to remember that Joseph Pilates created the Reformer to help people perform matwork better. Ultimately, everything in Pilates leads back to the mat.

Of course, matwork can be supported by small equipment bands, rings, foam rollers, and more but the ultimate challenge remains when it’s just you and the mat. Without the assistance of springs, straps, or external resistance, you must control your own body, applying the principles of the method to achieve quality movement.

Applying the Pilates Principles to the Mat

Pilates teachers often talk about breath and centre, but true mastery of the method means applying all the Pilates six principles: centre, breath, precision, control, flow, and concentration, to every movement. These principles act as a recipe, guiding us toward better execution of exercises and ensuring that Pilates remains a method rather than just a sequence of movements.

A useful approach is to use movements to teach the principles rather than just instructing movements in isolation. Every mat exercise provides an opportunity to reinforce control, precision, and fluidity, and slow, mindful execution often reveals where we need to improve.

Why Matwork is the True Test

In Return to Life Through Contrology, Joseph Pilates included 34 original mat exercises, with Criss-Cross and Can-Can later added. These exercises offer a complete system, with movements that challenge every aspect of strength, flexibility, and control.

One of the greatest lessons matwork teaches us is self-awareness. If there’s a movement we struggle with, it’s a sign that something in our body is limiting us. Is it upper-back tension? A tight lower back? Overactive quadriceps? Instead of avoiding these exercises, we should see them as opportunities to explore what is holding us back. On the flip side, the movements we enjoy often highlight where our strengths lie.

A great way to work through these challenges is to respect the difficulty of each movement. Slow execution increases the need for control. If your breath pattern isn’t working effectively, adjust it. If you struggle with precision, break the movement down into smaller components.

Understanding the Origins of Matwork

Historically, the original matwork was performed on a raised platform with a foot strap, helping to anchor the feet during exercises like the Roll-Up. Today, many people practise on just a mat, which can make certain exercises even more challenging—but this isn’t a limitation, just a different kind of challenge.

So, as we embrace March Mat Madness, let’s take a step back and honour the mat. This is the foundation of Pilates, the place where all the principles come together and where we truly test our ability to control our own bodies.

This Technique Thursday, challenge yourself and your clients to focus on quality. The mat demands more from us, but in return, it offers the greatest insight into how we move. Let’s respect the mat and everything it teaches us.