The Warm-Up: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Every Pilates class has a beginning, a middle and an end.

The warm-up is the opening chapter, and like any good story, it sets the scene for everything that follows.

As a teacher, I choose easy exercises that will generally warm you up and also specific movements to prepare you for the exercises ahead. Each movement has a purpose.

Perhaps we're preparing the spine for rotation, encouraging mobility through the hips, activating the glutes before standing work or helping the shoulders move more freely before upper body exercises. Everything builds progressively.

The warm-up also allows us to practise one of the most important Pilates skills...paying attention. Instead of thinking about what happened earlier today or what's waiting for us afterwards, we begin to focus on the present moment. I encourage everyone to arrive in class with a head focused for class. Turn off your phone and smart watch. Let go of the outside world and prepare for an hour to just move and breathe.

Consider:

How does my body feel today?

Can I breathe a little more deeply?

Am I standing evenly on both feet?

Can I release tension from my shoulders?

These simple questions help us move with greater awareness, and that awareness often carries into everyday life.

Many clients tell me that Pilates helps them notice when they're slouching at work, gripping unnecessary tension or rushing through their day without taking a proper breath.

It all begins with those first few mindful movements.

So the next time we start class gently, know that we're doing far more than simply warming up. We're preparing your body to move well, giving your mind a chance to settle and creating the foundations for a safe, effective and enjoyable Pilates session.

After all, every great class deserves a great beginning.