One Mat a Day (and 4 things I learned from it)

by Nathalie Gonthier-Thomas

After a long winter break of over eating-drinking and being less active for a few weeks I decided to start practicing the Mat work daily.

I always thought of the Mat in Pilates as the most difficult part of the work, because of no support, no springs, no push, no pull … just gravity and me.

One Mat a Day for the entire year of 2020 was my new year’s resolution, to grow and learn to love the Mat. To stay motivated and go for the long run, I needed a visual of my accomplishments. I marked each day of my monthly planner with a "MAT!".

After almost two months here are some observations:

1. I didn't manage to do the Mat every single day (blaming work, kids, obligations, …) BUT, I did it 4 to 6 times a week so far. Seeing an empty day on my calendar pushes me to do my Mat the next day. Motivation!

2. My body started to "memorize" the order and the movements of each exercise. With every movement I concentrated on getting more length, on connecting my arms, legs, neck, shoulders to my core. The exercises didn't feel easier but more effective, with more connection, coordination, more stability.

3. Because Joseph Pilates Mat work has an order, my body and my mind started to transition from one exercise to the next with more fluidity. Although this part is still a work in progress for me at this point, moving from one exercise to the next feels more intuitive and more efficient.

4. My body overall feels so much stronger! I am now working in adding even more reach, more length in all my exercises. But the most rewarding so far is to feel and notice that I got stronger in all of my Pilates exercises, including the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda chair.

Practicing One Mat a Day has been improving my entire Pilates practice and I am not dreading the Mat anymore. It is becoming part of my "to do" list of the day and I get it done.

I still have some way to go, but I love it!!

Watch Nathalie’s video on Westwood Pilates video channel