March Matness: Celebrating the Original Pilates Mat Exercises

If you spend any time around Pilates this month, you might notice the hashtag #MarchMatness appearing on social media. It’s a tradition within the Pilates community where teachers and practitioners around the world share one of the original mat exercises each day throughout March, celebrating the classical repertoire and the legacy of the man behind the method.

That man was Joseph Pilates.

Born in Germany in 1883, Joseph Pilates was a sickly child who suffered from asthma and other health issues. Determined to strengthen his body, he studied different forms of physical training including gymnastics, boxing, martial arts, and yoga. Over time, he developed his own approach to movement: a system that focused on controlled, precise exercises designed to strengthen both body and mind.

He originally called this method Contrology, describing it as “the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.” His philosophy centred on mindful movement, breathing, and building strength from the inside out - principles that still guide Pilates classes today.

What I love about Pilates is that it’s both simple and endlessly deep. The same exercises can meet you wherever you are, whether you’re just starting or have been practising for years. With attention, patience, and consistency, the method reveals more and more layers.

So this March, as the global Pilates community celebrates #MarchMatness, I invite you to join me on the mat and explore the method for yourself.

See you in class,

Aurora 🌿