“Pilates is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit.”
What is mat Pilates?
Mat Pilates is a gentle, low-impact way to build strength, improve posture and move with greater ease. At Pilates with Lou in Bournemouth, sessions are guided with warmth, clarity and genuine care - helping you feel supported and confident as you move.
Mat Pilates is performed on a mat using controlled, precise movements and your own body weight for resistance. Rather than relying on momentum or speed, movements are slow and intentional, allowing you to develop stability safely and effectively and build strength from the inside out.
The method was developed by Joseph Pilates and is rooted in the idea that the mind and body work best when trained together. Small pieces of equipment may be used during sessions to provide support, feedback or an added challenge, depending on individual needs.
Central to mat Pilates are six core principles - breath, control, centring, concentration, flow and precision. These principles underpin every exercise and encourage better movement patterns both in and out of the studio.
With regular practice, mat Pilates can support both physical strength and mental wellbeing.
Benefits include:
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Improved posture and alignment
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Stronger, deeper core support
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Increased flexibility and joint mobility
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Better balance, stability, and coordination
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Greater body awareness and concentration
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Improved breathing patterns and reduced stress
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Correction of muscular imbalances over time
Mat Pilates is suitable for all fitness levels and can be adapted to meet individual abilities, goals and stages of life.
Consistency is key - gentle, regular practice often brings the most meaningful and lasting results.
Why choose Pilates with Lou?
At Pilates with Lou, mat Pilates is taught with warmth, clarity and genuine care. Lou’s teaching style is calm and encouraging, with a strong emphasis on correct technique, thoughtful progression and individual attention.
Sessions are intentionally small, allowing exercises to be adapted to suit your body, confidence and goals. Many clients appreciate the clear explanations, unhurried pace and supportive atmosphere - particularly if they are new to Pilates or returning after time away.
Whether you are looking to improve posture, build strength, move more comfortably or simply take time for yourself, Pilates with Lou offers a welcoming and personal approach to mat Pilates in Westbourne, Bournemouth.
If you are curious about mat Pilates and wondering whether it’s right for you, you are very welcome to get in touch.
I am always happy to answer questions and help you decide how to begin in a way that feels comfortable, supported, and right for you.
Lou
How Pilates began?
Joseph Pilates (1883–1967) was a German physical trainer who explored a wide range of movement disciplines, including gymnastics, boxing and martial arts. His interest in movement began as a way to overcome childhood illness and build physical resilience.
During World War I, while interned on the Isle of Man, Joseph Pilates began developing an exercise system to help rehabilitate injured soldiers. By adapting bed springs to provide resistance, he laid the foundations for the apparatus work that later became closely associated with Pilates.
After the war, he returned to Germany, where he worked alongside influential movement figures, including Rudolf Laban, who introduced him to the world of dance. When asked to train the German army, Joseph Pilates chose instead to focus on healing rather than military conditioning, prompting his move to the United States.
In the late 1920s, he travelled to America, where he met his wife, Clara. Together, they opened their first studio in New York in 1929. Their work quickly gained recognition, particularly among dancers seeking strength, control and injury prevention.
Joseph Pilates called his method “Contrology” - a system built around 34 original mat exercises and structured work on specialised apparatus. He believed movements should be learned with care, mastered gradually and adapted to suit the individual. Central to his philosophy were six principles: control, centring, breath, concentration, precision and flow. These principles remain the foundation of Pilates practice today.
Following Joseph Pilates’ death in 1967, Clara continued to run the studio alongside Romana Kryzanowska, one of the first generation of teachers often referred to as the “Pilates Elders.” Other early teachers included Eve Gentry, Kathy Grant, Carola Trier, Bob Seed and Jay Grimes.
As these first-generation teachers opened their own studios and trained students, the method naturally evolved. A second generation of teachers emerged, including figures such as Alan Herdman, Moira Merrithew and Rael Isacowitz, each contributing to the development and wider teaching of Pilates.
Pilates was introduced to the UK in 1970 when Alan Herdman established the country’s first Pilates studio at the London School of Contemporary Dance. From there, the method gradually grew, adapting to changing times while maintaining its core principles.
Over the decades, Pilates has continued to evolve - from small studio-based teaching to a wide range of mat and equipment classes worldwide. Despite its growth, the essence of Pilates remains the same: thoughtful movement, strong foundations and a deep connection between mind and body.
The following quotes used in this website are by Joseph Pilates “Pilates is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit.” and “Change happens through movement and movement heals”.
