How To Prepare For Your First Online Pilates Class? 

Optimize your body’s mobility by joining an online Pilates class from the comfort of your home. It strengthens the body and improves overall blood circulation.

One of the best ways to stay fit during the winter is to join an online Pilates class. Low-impact exercises like Pilates can be done by people of all ages.

It improves bone strength and maintains muscle mobility. There are many other benefits to practising Pilates regularly. And winter is a perfect time to work on your fitness goals for the upcoming summer season.

While offline classes were the norm before, lockdown has surprisingly opened new opportunities to access great exercises at home. Though it can take a while to get used to learning things online, it is convenient for busy people and also easy on the budget.

POST CONTENTS

What is Pilates exercise?

Benefits of doing Pilates exercise

Searching for a good online Pilates class 

Preparation for your first online Pilates class

Online Pilates classroom habits

Rest and recover after your first Pilates class

Disclaimer: All content in this post is for general health information only. Please consult a specialist physician before trying any new exercise, diet, or health advice. There are no affiliate links attached to this post.

What is Pilates exercise?

According to dancer and lead yoga therapist Judi Bar,

“Pilates is a form of exercise and body conditioning developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, mostly as a method of injury recovery for dancers. Over time, though, it became clear that the average person could benefit from this form of exercise.”

Judy Bar also points out the difference between Pilates and Yoga.

“Although Pilates uses breath, yoga is a mind-body-spirit type thing. They complement each other and there are some things that might be similar but they’re not the same, especially since there’s always meditation and relaxation aspects with yoga.

I first tried Pilates exercises when I was recovering from ACL surgery. The exercises looked similar to some yoga poses, but after doing some online research, I found that many ballet dancers were recommended Pilates for quick recovery.

I was already doing the exercises recommended by my physiotherapist, and I started doing Pilates as well. Since then, I have had a better understanding of my body and the importance of continued mobility.

But most importantly, I understood that a dancer’s body requires strength as much as flexibility.

Benefits of doing Pilates exercise

• It is a low-impact workout that is best for beginners.
• It is a non-aerobic and non-cardio workout, which makes it gentle on the knees and joints.
• It can be easily done at home with just a mat, a stretch band, and support blocks.
• It improves core strength.
• It brings more mobility to the joints, especially the hips, knees, and back.
• It also focuses on the mind-body connection.
• Mindful breathing is an important part of Pilates.
• It does not have static stretches or a pose like in Yoga. It is a movement-based workout.
• It has a flow movement pattern.
• It improves posture.
• It corrects imbalance and alignment.
• It does not build muscles but rather gives the body a more toned look.
• It improves body awareness.
• It also includes some deep stretching and resistance exercises.
• The exercises in Pilates can be modified according to the health of the student.

Searching for a good online Pilates class

Always consult your physician, coach, or physiotherapist before trying Pilates. Understanding your body better is the first step towards regaining strength, and Pilates will help you do that.

The Pilates studio should have qualified, experienced, and certified trainers. Try to search for an online Pilates studio that has teachers who have taught many students with similar health conditions as yours.

If the studio is in your city, then it becomes easier to pay a visit to get a better understanding of the authenticity of the teachers. The studio should have affordable fees and schedule for you. 

Before registration, always inform them of your health condition so the teacher assigned to you will be able to help you in a better way. Also, ask about the length of one Pilates session.

Preparation for your first online Pilates class

Pilates is a non-cardio workout, so you won’t be moving too much around the room. You need a clean, well-ventilated, distraction-free room. You can do a Pilates workout early in the morning in your courtyard or balcony in the summer.

You will need a mat for your first Pilates class. Keep a water bottle to drink and a small towel to wipe off your sweat. Also, keep a cushion nearby because if you have less flexibility, your teacher will suggest using a cushion to support your joints.

You can do Pilates in socks during the winter or barefoot in the summer. Pilates is done wearing a t-shirt or top and tights or track pants. You can wear the same thing and cover yourself with warm layers in cold weather. As you get warmer, you can remove extra layers of cloth.

Online Pilates classroom habits

There could be many things that go wrong in an online class. Lockdown Zoom meetings are good examples of some funny and embarrassing moments.

However, in your first Pilates class, understanding movement could be difficult since the teacher can only correct you by looking at your video.

Even in online dance classes, students have difficulty understanding directions, turns, and footwork. It’s okay to take time to understand each exercise.

• Check that you have a strong internet connection during the time of your online Pilates class.
• Before the class starts, keep your mobile or laptop in a place from which the teacher can see all your movements.
• If you have downloaded a Pilates app and are attending a live class on your mobile, then keep your mobile in silent mode and pause notifications to avoid distractions.
• Try to be on time for your first Pilates class.
• You may want to keep your laptop’s video mode off for your first class, but your teacher will not be able to correct your mistakes.
• If your room is in a noisy area or the kids’ room is nearby, then you should keep your mobile or laptop’s microphone switched off for a while during a live Pilates class.
• Ask your teacher politely to repeat the exercise if necessary.
• Ask your teacher to wait for you to complete an exercise or take the class at a slow pace.
• If you experience any pain or discomfort during the class then inform your teacher about it.
• Don’t forget to drink water in between breaks.
• Ask detailed questions at the end of the Pilates class.

Rest and recover after your first pilates class

Every Pilates class has dynamic warm-up stretches, main exercises, and at the end of the class, static stretches. Never assume that it’s okay to miss either the warmup or stretches at the end. In the winter, it is necessary to warm up your body properly before starting any exercise routine.

If you neglect the static stretches, then you may experience some pain because your body is not used to doing exercises. Static stretches at the end of the class relax and lengthen your muscles.

References

Everything You Want to Know About Pilates, August 20, 2020.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/everything-you-want-to-know-about-pilates/