Everything you need to set up, what to expect, and a little of the thinking behind the practice.
Morning Mat Pilates blends classical Pilates principles with modern movement science, yoga therapy insights, and somatic awareness — supporting strength, mobility, coordination, and ease. The goal is to help you feel more capable, centered, and at home in your body.
While this is a Pilates practice, it's rooted in the same therapeutic principles that guide all my work: nervous system support, whole-person care, sustainable capacity building, and interoceptive awareness. Strength isn't just physical — it's regulatory. Movement becomes a foundation for resilience in daily life.
You'll need a stable, clear floor space with a yoga mat or enough padding for comfort. That's it. Mat Pilates works beautifully with just your body and the floor — my goal isn't to have you fill your home with equipment.
Optional props if you have them: squishy ball, yoga blocks, resistance band, tea towel, tennis or therapy balls, foam roller, hand weights (1–5 lbs), ankle weights, magic circle. Body weight is excellent, and honestly some of the best work happens with nothing but your mat and your attention.
Each class follows a progressive structure: we warm up, build load gradually through layers of challenge, and finish with integration. The real focus is progressively improving strength, range of motion, and movement control — not making movements look perfect.
Challenge is scaled relative to your capacity, and layers of complexity are added only when foundational control exists. Simple doesn't mean easy — a movement's value lies in the stimulus it provides, not in how it looks. Wobble, loss of stability, and controlled fatigue are part of growth.
You'll hear me cue breath throughout class — but not because there's a universal "Pilates breathing pattern." Research doesn't support the idea of a single correct breath for these movements. Instead, I use breath as a tool to support your nervous system: influencing grounding, presence, and ease. Breathe naturally, and I'll offer cues when they serve your nervous system and your experience.
My aim is to support the nervous system's fluidity within the practice — building strength and challenging your capacity while also creating space to recalibrate and integrate. This is strength training that respects your whole nervous system, not just your muscles.
Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00–6:45 AM CT. The Zoom room opens at 5:55 AM — feel free to arrive early and settle in. You can choose twice weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays) or once weekly. Recordings are included and available through your client portal for a limited window after each class.
This practice is designed to be a movement anchor — something you return to consistently without pressure or overwhelm. It's not about perfection. It's about showing up, building capacity, and cultivating trust in your body over time.
If you find yourself drawn to more individualized support — whether for chronic pain, nervous system care, stress, or life transitions — Morning Mat Pilates builds structural resilience. 1:1 work addresses what's underneath.