_edited.png)
Hello March!
This is the month when Pilates enthusiasts around the world go a little extra crazy about Pilates, and join in what is known as the March Matness. It's a time to show our excitement for the classical work as originally conceived by Joseph Pilates in a sequence he called Contrology.
Today referred to as the Classical Matwork, this emblematic sequence is made of 34 exercises performed in a row, designed to mobilise and strengthen the whole body...and test your stamina too! It is a challenging yet fun sequence which all Pilates lovers aims at mastering someday.
So, whether you are new at Pilates or have been practicing for decades, this month I invite you to Join me on a Pilates Challenge! Every week I will guide you to learn step by step a selected number of contrology exercises which you can practice at home in your own time, before diving into the full sequence together at our LIVE Online Workshop on Friday 28 March, 5.30-7pm GMT.
But before we get started, let's look into:
What is Contrology?
What are its benefits?
Contrology and the Pilates method today
How to Join the Pilates Challenge!
Not up for the challenge? Don't worry. I have something for you too.
Keep scrolling to download this month's planner for daily movement & mindfulness inspiration.
What is Contrology
Made of 34 different exercises designed to be performed in a flowing sequence, “Contrology is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit” (J. H. Pilates). As a system of physical exercises, Contrology is the original sequence created by Joseph Pilates and first published in 1945 in his book Return to Life through Contrology.
These carefully crafted exercises are the culmination of Joseph Pilates' many years of scientific research into the diverse physical ailments that disrupt the harmony of body and mind. Inspired by the methods advocated by the early Greeks, as well as Yoga. martial arts and boxing, Contrology focusses on breathing, core strength, flow and coordination, encouraging total control of the mind over the body.
What are its benefits
"Contrology is designed to give you suppleness, natural grace, and skill that will be unmistably Phreflect in the way you walk, in the way you play and in the way you work.
By reawakening thousand and thoudsands of otherwise ordinairly dormant muscle cells, Contrology correspondingly reawakens thousands and thousands of dormant brain cells, thus activating new areas and stimulating further the fuctioning of the mind.
You will develop muscular power with corresponding endurance, ability to perform arduous duies, to play strenuous games, to walk, run or travel long distances without undue body fatigue or mental strain. And this is by no means the end."
~ Joseph H. Pilates
Contrology and the Pilates method today
To this day, Contrology exercises persist in driving a global transformation in fitness strategies and exercise techniques, as teachers of the Pilates method carry on building on this foundational work by introducing a range of innovative approaches, including circular movements, standing postures, and core strengthening exercises using props like tubes, weights, poles, bands, magic circles, mini-balls, stability balls, foam rollers, and more.
Moreover, the original exercises (which are designed to be physically demanding and rather athletic!) have been broken down in smaller and smaller components in order to make be accessible by each and every body whilst still retaining the power of this innovative method.
Personally, I like to think of Contrology as the Sun Salutation of Pilates! It represent the origin of all Pilates movements as we know them today, and also the ideal that all Pilates enthusiasts wish to master some day. And I hope you now feel inspired to give it a try too.
As a trained Body Control Pilates© and certified Master Matwork Teacher, I have been practicing the classical work for several years and more recently I have developed my own way to teach it to my students through a step by step course I called Decoding Classical Mat.
How to Join the Pilates Challenge!
1.
Download now Your March Matness Checklist;
2.
Every week learn & practice step by step a set number of exercises from my Video Series Decoding Classical Mat. You can be redirected there from your checklist and/or monthly planner (I suggest Fridays to keep a rythm but you can pace them out as you wish).
3.
On Friday 28 March join LIVE Classical Mat workshop (Online 5.30-7pm GMT) to connect with others around the world & dive into the full sequence together! Bookable also from your checklist and/or monthly planner.
- All you need to participate is a mat, a laptop, and the love for a challenge -
Not up for the challenge?
Don't worry. Like at the start of every month, here is your downloadable calendar with links to live group classes & handpicked videos from the Virtual Studio, so whether you'll embrace the challenge or not, you have something new to practice everyday!
Keep an eye on this space - a new calendar will be released at the start of each month!
Комментарии