To celebrate, the newsletter is highlighting a couple of articles about “Pilates: The Man and The Method” and some of his inventions that you may never have heard of.
Wishing you a Happy Pilates Day ~
Every Day!
Pilates: The Man and The Method
Did you know that Pilates didn’t call his exercises Pilates? To find out what Mr. Pilates called his system, check out the article here.
Mr. Pilates thought his work was 50 years ahead of its time. And that proved to be true.
Pilates Day and the Lost Equipment
Even if you have practiced Pilates for a while, you may not have ever used a “breath-a-cizer” or a head harness.
Did you know Pilates even invented a bed!
If you would like to check out some of the more rare pieces of equipment, please read this short article here.
Happy New Year! Hope you had a beautiful Holiday with your loved ones and that you are looking forward to an exciting and purposeful 2024! To help you along the path, here are some of the top fitness trends. One of them might even be a little surprising! Keep reading to find out what it is.
To get things started, here’s something new that I have begun recommending to students. I think you’ll enjoy…
How would you like to improve balance and focus? Not to mention your movements and coordination.
I’ve mentioned before that there are 3 systems that work together for balance – the proprioceptive, visual and inner ear. You can read a previous article on the topic here.
While Pilates is very strong on the proprioceptive component, the BrainSpeed Ball® is a wonderful compliment to Pilates by exercising the visual component of balance.
Developed by fellow Pilates Educator, Trent McEntire, I think you’ll find the BrainSpeed Ball® useful and fun!
The bright orange ball has the alphabet and the numbers 1-12 randomly placed on the ball. There are a variety of exercises where you literally keep your eyes on the ball. It is more like playing a game than an “exercise”.
It is used for balance & fall prevention, ADHD, enhancing athletic brain performance. They have also had success with programs for neurological conditions. The BrainSpeed Ball® has recently developed a program for Parkinson’s and another for concussion recovery.
The BrainSpeed Ball® is appropriate for ages children to seniors.
Whether a kid needing focus and motor control, or an adult who stares at a computer screen all day, or a senior who needs to work on balance, the BrainSpeed Ball® can be of benefit to you.
Their tagline is “Fire Up Your Brain”. You’ll find it does that and a whole lot more!
2. Recovery – Light Therapy
One of the top trends and buzzwords this year is recovery.
This is the surprising trend for 2024. That is a bit of a change from the traditional “no pain, no gain” mentality.
Post workout recovery is something that sports have used for years but is now moving more mainstream.
Whether cryotherapy or specialized massage therapy, there are a lot of possibilities.
One I specifically wanted to focus on is light therapy.
You might have seen it in the anti-aging arena – from lasers for hair growth like the Laser Hairmax® to face masks like the Omnilux.
The benefits of red light therapy include increasing collagen, decreasing inflammation and helping muscle recovery and pain relief.
But you can also find smaller straps that you can wrap around a certain part of a body (like a knee) to give a targeted treatment.
3. AI – Tonal and Tempo still lead the pack
The trends for 2024 would not be complete without a look at AI.
ChatGPT is being used as a personal trainer along with various AI fitness apps.
As you might imagine, there are advantages – like brilliant, speedy computation for recommendations on reps and sets based on all the data it collects from everyone that has used it.
But as they are finding in other industries, there are some downsides.
Mainly lack of human interaction and feedback to know if you are performing the exercises properly.
It sounds like Tonal and Tempo are still leading the way in terms of having proprietary motion sensing technology that is able to offer feedback as you workout.
These are just a few of the fitness trends for 2024. The BrainSpeed Ball® could be a valuable and fun addition to your routine. The focus on recovery is a surprising change of trends this year and light therapy is just one of the many possibilities in this category.
As the world and technology continue to grow and change, we’ll see what AI and the future holds.
This is a full month and here are a couple of events that are coming up:
February is American Heart Month and this Friday, February 3 is National Wear Red Day®! For more information on heart health, please check out the NIH. Most importantly, take care of yourself and the ones you love by practicing self-care for your heart.
In addition, February 22 is World Encephalitis Day. If you would like to get involved, here are some ways you can show your support.
Happy Valentine’s to you and yours! Wishing you much love and joy!
Now onto today’s featured article…
For the Love of Pilates
It’s been said that Joe was a genius. The equipment especially highlighted his brilliance. He was known to invent equipment for clients with specific needs.
Pilates’ creativity and spirit of invention lives on today. His innovative ideas sparked other thinkers and inventors who created their own pieces of equipment. Joe’s work carries on in new and exciting ways.
Whether to help a specific student with a need or to adapt to the environment when traditional equipment wasn’t available, here are three newer pieces of equipment that have been developed for the love of Pilates!
If you’ve ever rested your spine on the warmed columns of the SS, then you know the bliss. Created by Marie-Jose Blom, the SS is the main star in the full system which includes the arch tubbies, globe, cervical head disc, sacral wedges, and posture pillow.
Developed by longtime student of Pilates, Ron Fletcher came up with the towel. It was created out of necessity, working with what he had at his disposal.
When Mr. Fletcher would teach classes at his California studio, he noticed students were having trouble moving their arms evenly. One arm would be higher and the other arm would be lower etc.
So he grabbed a towel to give the students a visual aid to help them see their arms were uneven as they moved. That’s how the Fletcher Towel was born. I think Mr. Pilates would appreciate the ingenuity of making use of what was on hand.
Similar to Joe’s equipment that can look like a rack out of the middle ages, the CoreAlign® is a large, interesting, even intimidating looking piece of equipment! I suspect it would meet with Joe’s approval;) And this equipment delivers on its name – to get the core aligned!
Developed by physical therapist Jonathan Hoffman and produced by Balanced Body equipment manufacturer, the CoreAlign® is two moveable platforms (like the carriage on the reformer but smaller) with elastic resistance tubes that act like springs and a tall ladder to hold. As you might imagine there are a multitude of exercises that can be performed in different positions on the CoreAlign®.
So there you have it – just a few of the many inventions that have been created for the love of Pilates!
Now I’m curious – if you could invent a piece of equipment, what would that be?
Just respond in the comments if you have an idea you would like to share.
For a listing of events around the country and the world, please check out the schedule here.
The Lost Equipment
In honor of Pilates Day, I’m highlighting some of his inventions that are being lost to time.
You don’t see these pieces of equipment in too many studios.
You may never have even heard or seen some of this equipment before.
Though these pieces may not be well-known, you’ll be reminded of Joe’s creativity. He thought of everything! A genius ~
Breath-A-Cizer
As if there weren’t enough breathing exercises in Pilates already, Joe invented a gadget for breathing!
You blow through a straw and try to keep the metal pinwheel at the end turning. This device alone improves breathing but it could also be combined with exercises. For example, you could perform a standing roll down and up “one vertebrae at a time” while keeping the pinwheel turning during the movement.
Oddly, this equipment seems similar to a modern day spirometer. Though there aren’t measurements on the Breath-A-Cizer, the potential for improving breathing capacity appears similar.
The head harness wraps around the head and there is a spring attached. Depending on the placement of the head in the harness, the neck muscles on the front, back or side are strengthened. That’s one way to get your head on straight!
Yes, just like it sounds! Joe invented a bed to sleep in. The bed has two angles like a wide V-shape. It’s ingenious – if you sleep on your side you wouldn’t need to put a pillow between your knees as you could rest your leg on the angle of the bed.
New Years often brings new goals and resolutions, especially in the area of fitness. If you are inspired with the New Year and looking to invest in some bigger pieces of Pilates equipment for home, this newsletter has you covered. Specifically, we’ll focus on Spine Correctors, Baby Arcs and The Pilates Edge.
The pieces of equipment chosen for this issue don’t take up as much room as a reformer or Cadillac/Trapeze Table, but they are more of a financial investment than something like a foam roller or ball. If you have a nook or a workout space carved out, these pieces might help complete it.
Spine Corrector
The Spine Corrector has a special place in my heart as it was my first piece of Pilates Equipment (other than the red Fletcher® towel, of course!) and I still have it to this day. I chose this equipment because it was a great piece for home. Besides the personal benefits, it didn’t take up too much room and could slide into a corner.
For simplicity, we’ll focus on two main points for the Spine Corrector: the arc and the material. The Clara Step Barrel® (named in honor of Mrs. Pilates) has a higher arc and supports more spinal extension. The East Coast and Contour Step Barrel™ have more of an elongated arc shape.
In terms of material, you now have a choice of either the classical wood or foam (like what a foam roller is made out of). The foam or Clara Step Barrel ®Lite version has the advantage of being lighter in weight so it’s easier to lift and/or move around. The Pilates Arc™ variation has the elongated arc and can detach into two usable pieces of equipment.
Baby Arc
Like it sounds, the baby arcs are just the “arc” only portion of a Spine Corrector. The West Coast Style is open without handles and the East Coast Style is closed on the sides and has handles. One of the benefits of the baby arcs is that they fit particularly well under the legs and feet without the possibility of sliding or moving (as can sometime happen with the Spine Corrector).
Pilates Edge
Rather than a curved line, the Pilates Edge is a straight line but at an incline. Though the arc shape naturally lends itself to spinal extension movements, there are still some excellent spinal extension exercises that can be practiced on the Pilates Edge as well. The Pilates Edge supports the spine and core and can be used behind the back or under the legs and feet.
Wishing you and yours a bright, beautiful and healthy New Year! As 2020 brought focus on what is most important and simplicity, may we carry that clear vision into 2021 with hopefully a return to some more “normal” times. Please continue to stay healthy and safe!
A little magic is definitely called for in 2020! As this historic year comes to a close, it’s not too late for new possibilities. Maybe this season will be a bit more meaningful than the past hustle and bustle. Even if festivities take a unique or distanced approach, I hope you enjoy more of what matters.
Continuing the series “Pilates Equipment for Home”, this edition covers the Magic Circle, of course! Probably not the magic you were looking for (but somehow so 2020:)
Magic Circles
A little history, using what was available at the time, Joseph Pilates fashioned the first magic circle from the metal ring you would find on a barrel of beer! Closest to the original design, the “Spring Circles” from Balanced Body increase resistance depending on the number of metal rings. The lightest resistance circle is actually two rings of metal. The average magic circle is comprised of 3 rings and the heaviest is 4.
Similar to the classical Magic Circle, the Flex Ring Toner® is encased in rubber ensuring there are no potential sharp edges and making it rust proof.
The main distinguishing feature for the Ultra-Fit Circle® is that there are also handles on the inside of the ring and not just the outside. There is a mini and regular sized Ultra-Fit Circle®. The mini is for beginners and for those with a smaller upper body frame and the regular is for those with more practice and/or broader shoulders.
The Fitness Circle® Pro has latex free handles. The Fitness Circle® Lite is made of Fiberglass and the Fitness Circle® Flex is made with plastic.
Thankfully, Magic Circles are more widely available today than in the past (and don’t have to be made from barrels of beer!) Circles can commonly be found in the fitness section of many stores and on Amazon from a variety of manufactures.
In the last newsletter, we had a ball covering toning, fitness and Yamuna® balls. In this issue, we’ll keep it straight and discuss linear rather than round props. Specifically, we’ll focus on Thera-Bands®, the Stretch Out Strap® and Fletcher® towel.
Thera-Bands® offer resistance and can be used to strengthen the upper or lower body, as some of you know from having literally been tied up during a class! 🙂 It is helpful to realize that different manufacturers have different color coding to denote the resistance level, but there does not seem to be a universal color coding system. For example, a “yellow” Thera-Band® from Balanced Body® and OPTP® is the lightest resistance, but from Merrithew® it is regular strength.
Tip: Check the resistance level from the manufacturer to make sure you are getting the right level for you. It should either say light, medium or heavy or have a chart with the resistance levels.
It is helpful to realize the length and width also varies between manufacturers. Some manufactures make the bands 5 ft and others 8 ft long. Some bands are wide and others more narrow. If you want to do foot exercises, you’ll need a wide band to cover the ball of the foot and toes (as pictured at the top).
Thera-Band®:
Sets:
This is a good standard set and commonly used in Physical Therapy. They have a light to regular strength set and then another set with heavy and extra heavy bands. Please note though these bands do contain latex.
If you would like to order just one Thera-Band, you can order a light, medium or heavy from Balanced Body®. The two extra heavy strengths are not available as a regular length band but sold in yards/bulk only.
This is a non-latex, environmentally friendly option! As I’ve mentioned, international shipping can sometimes be an issue as Merrithew® is based in Canada, but these Flex-Bands® are great. The length and width on these bands are a good fit for most exercises. The width on this band covers most feet for foot exercises. Light Regular Strength Extra Strength
Stretch Out Strap®:
The Stretch Out Strap® is similar to the Thera-Band® in that it can be used for upper or lower body exercises, but obviously the strap doesn’t have the elasticity of the band. While there are not different levels of resistance like the Thera-Band®, the strap offers isometric resistance and support. As the Stretch Out Strap® name implies, the strap is great for stretching. Where a band doesn’t necessarily hold the weight of the leg in a hamstring stretch very well, the strap will assist better in such stretches as it offers support without any give.
The loops on the strap are helpful not only with stretching and gauging the right level for you, but also for the grip. For those with arthritis in the hands holding something thin like a band or plain strap may not be ideal. But with the Stretch Out Strap® or similar equipment, hands can slide through the loops. Rather than grasping, an open hand can be used through the loops instead, making upper body strengthening and stretching more accessible.
Special Note: Staying in the Pilates lane and trying to keep the newsletter concise, yoga straps have not been covered. Did want to give them a brief mention though as these straps can be useful in Pilates, Physical Therapy and of course, yoga. Yoga straps can frequently be found in the fitness section of many stores and online at Amazon etc. The Stretch Out Strap® obviously has the loops and yoga straps generally do not. Yoga straps often do have a sort of buckle which could be used to create a loop.
Fletcher Towel®:
Developed by first generation Pilates teacher, Ron Fletcher, the braided design serves a purpose. The braid places the fabric on a slight diagonal, so it has a little give, similar to the Thera-Band®, but as it is fabric, it stops like the Stretch Out Strap®. Before the braid was created, a rolled up towel was used to achieve this effect. Where a Thera-Band® offers different levels of resistance, the Fletcher® Towel meets the students where they are at. Whatever strength the student has to pull on the towel, that is the resistance he or she will get out of it. As students get stronger, the Fletcher® towel continues to match their strength. In addition, as the Fletcher® Towel is thicker, this makes it a little easier to grasp than a Thera-Band® or Stretch Out Strap®. Most people think the red Fletcher® towel is just a cute accessory, like a scarf, but the stylish braid actually has a function.
Hope this article helps you “keep it all straight” between the various Thera-Bands®, straps and even towels out there. Most of all, hope you continue to be centered and strong.
Keep Calm and Stay Aligned,
Shannon
As a reminder, this series is concentrated on equipment pieces that are accessible for home both financially and physically (easily fit into a small space). Since Pilates and other reputable manufacturers’ may not be as commonly known, this series will direct you to recognized names in the industry, but similar products may be found on Amazon or through other retailers. This is not an endorsement of any particular company or product.
If you thought there was a wide variety of Foam Rollers to choose from in the last issue, you are going to have a ball with this edition. To keep it more manageable, we are going to focus on 3 types: toning/weighted balls, fitness balls and Yamuna® balls. Beyond these, please see Balanced Body where you can check out more than a dozen different varieties including “pinky”, spiked, Franklin, posture balls and more…
As a reminder, this series is concentrated on pieces that are accessible for home both financially and physically (easily fits into a small space). The Pilates balls chosen for this edition are the ones I thought would be most helpful for the majority of those reading this newsletter. There are many other great Pilates balls too.
Since Pilates and other reputable manufacturers’ may not be as commonly known, this series will direct you to recognized names in the industry, but similar products may be found on Amazon or through other retailers. This is not an endorsement of any particular company or product.
Pilates Balls:
Toning/Weighted Balls: Small
Toning balls, like the name implies, are weighted balls. They are small and easy to hold like dumbells. They generally come in 1-3 pounds in weight.
Merrithew does have 2 & 3 lbs available as well but do watch as some are sold individually and others as sets. Also, this company is in Canada so shipping to the U.S. can sometimes be an issue.
Please note these balls are sold individually. So if you want a set of 2lbs, it looks like you will need to purchase 2 balls.
Fitness Balls: Large
Fitness balls are the large size that can support a persons body weight. You can sit or stretch your back or front with your full weight on the ball.
Finding the right fitness ball is based on your height. When seated, you want knees in line with hips or even hips a little higher than knees. But you do not want your knees higher than your hips (like trying to sit in a kindergartner’s chair!)
Tip: Since people have been at home and sitting more, try sitting on a fitness ball at your desk rather than a regular chair. This will stimulate your core, improve your balance and be a good posture reminder. Begin sitting on the ball for short periods of time (20-30 minutes) and then gradually increase as feels right for your body.
These balls are also burst resistant and free of latex, PVC, etc. Unfortunately, it looks like they only have the small and large size available. If you are really short or tall, this could be a fit for you.
Yamuna® Balls:
Technically, we are stepping outside of the Pilates realm when we talk about Yamuna. Yamuna® Body Rolling (YBR) is a method all on its’ own, but since there are so many other kinds of balls for myofascial release, I wanted to go ahead and include YBR in this newsletter. If you would like to learn a little more about YBR and compare to other kinds of rolling, please see these previous articles on the topics: “On The ‘Yamuna’ Ball” and “On A Roll”.
Whether you are looking for gold, silver, pearl or black, you will find it all and more on the link below. In addition, you can learn more about each kind of ball when you click on its link on Yamuna’s website and find what is right for you!
In Part 1 of this series, we covered how to choose the right mat for your body and your space. Continuing with Part 2, we are going to focus on some of the most requested and popular pieces of equipment for home, specifically, the Foam Roller and the SmartSpine.
The Foam Roller is hands down the most requested piece of home equipment. I get asked about the roller more than any other item. You might be surprised at the great variety of rollers to choose from, including one that can act similar to a Reformer!
The SmartSpine is also a frequently requested item. Though more of an investment than a Foam Roller, many students love the SmartSpine. This is the type of item that students put on their Holiday wish list and let family members know about it!
Though the Foam Roller and SmartSpine can be used in a variety of ways, such as seated or even standing, one of the main ways they are used is to align the spine while lying down. With the Foam Roller, the vertebrae are directly on the roller although there are some recent variations where the spine goes between two connected rollers. This more recent innovation on the Foam Roller is similar to the SmartSpine where the vertebrae rest in a groove and the equipment provides columns along each side of the spine.
With the SmartSpine, one of the wonderful benefits is that it can be heated, further facilitating the release of the spinal muscles and finding the core connection. Both the Foam Roller and the SmartSpine are used to release muscles, not only in the spine but also in other ways, such as releasing the Iliotibial (IT) Band on the roller.
The Foam Roller and the SmartSpine obviously present a challenge to balance even when lying down. Remaining balanced on either piece of equipment can bring to light imbalances in the spine or core, especially when a leg or arm is lifted. These pieces of equipment can stimulate and realign the spine while reawakening the core.
As a reminder, this series is concentrated on pieces that are accessible for home both financially and physically (easily fit into a small space). While there are other Pilates pieces that help with spinal alignment, some of which we’ll cover later in the series, the Foam Roller and SmartSpine are very home friendly.
Since Pilates and other reputable manufacturers’ may not be as commonly known, this series will direct you to recognized names in the industry, but similar products may be found on Amazon or through other retailers. This is not an endorsement of any particular company or product.
Foam Rollers:
The Foam Roller was not invented by Joseph Pilates but was actually developed by Moshe Feldenkrais. To learn more about how the Foam Roller made its’ way into the Pilates world and about the difference between rolling on foam versus a ball, click here to read a previous article on this topic.
There are a variety of Foam Rollers. There are rollers that are cut in half so that they have a flat, stable side and actually do not roll. There are short rollers that can be used for the feet. There are rollers that have knobs and grooves to dig in and release muscles. The list below is hardly exhaustive.
Tip: In order to insure that you get a Foam Roller long enough that you can rest your spine on it, look for 36 inches long. Also, look for full round (unless you want one split in half for more stability). Generally, the size you want to look for is 6” x 36”.
Foam Rollers come in 3 types of densities: hard, medium and soft. Most of you are probably familiar with the medium and some the firm Foam Rollers as these are the most common types of rollers in gyms and studios.
Hard: If you see terms like “high density” or “extra firm”, these are hard, durable foam rollers.
Medium: The medium density Foam Roller offers plenty of firmness and is more of a regular roller – not too hard or too soft.
Soft: What may not be as familiar is the soft version. Developed in more recent years, it offers the benefits of the original Foam Roller (spinal alignment, opening the chest…) but in a more gentle way. If you have arthritis or achy joints, you may really appreciate the soft variation.
Reform Roller!
Called MOTR® (Movement On The Roller), this device is like a Foam Roller and Reformer combined. Rather than foam it is a plastic tube with branches at the top where straps come out offering different levels of resistance. The branches and straps can be stored in the tube itself. Obviously, the MOTR® is more expensive than a Foam Roller (by roughly $300 dollars) but if you are missing the reformer and do not want to make an investment of thousands, this may be an alternative. The MOTR® also does not require much space and can be easily stored away, unlike a reformer.
SmartSpine:
The SmartSpine was developed by Marie-Jose Blom. It is designed with two grain filled columns that run along each side of the spine. The vertebrae rest in the groove between the two columns. The SmartSpine can be heated, helping the muscles that run along the spine to relax and the fascia covering these muscles to release. This release in back aids the abdominals in contracting more readily in front.
The SmartSpine fits the length of the spine and only comes in one size. The only variation is that there is a regular and lavender fragrance. If you have allergies, the unscented might be a better fit for you. If you do not have any allergies or sensitivities, the lavender can add to the relaxing element of the SmartSpine.
I love when Pilates becomes part of a student’s everyday life. That moment when a student notices the posture slipping and adjusts it, or when belly breathing helps during a stressful situation, Pilates goes beyond the mat and applies to life.
Now more than ever, a Pilates practice for home has become important. I have always encouraged a home practice. Whether a full program or picking just a couple of key exercises that would be most beneficial, it’s that regular practice that will help bring about those changes in daily life.
To support your practice and continued growth, I thought a series on Pilates equipment for home would be helpful. We’ll cover the pieces most frequently asked about. This series obviously will not cover all the Pilates equipment or the “big equipment”. We are focusing on home and pieces that are more easily accessible – both financially as well as physically, lightweight and able to fit into a smaller space.
For some of the Pilates equipment, the same or similar products may be found on Amazon or other retailers, but I thought it would be best only to mention Pilates and Physical Therapy manufacturers. This is not an endorsement of any particular company or product. Since Pilates and Physical Therapy companies are probably not as well known, I thought directing you to reputable, recognized names within the industry would be more helpful.
We’ll begin this series with mats, a “fitting foundation”, but stay on the look out for upcoming editions where we’ll cover foam rollers, SmartSpines™, TheraBands, straps, balls, weights and more…
One of the beautiful things about Pilates is that you can still practice without any equipment at all. The mat exercises were meant for home practice and can be done on a floor, towel, rug, mattress and of course a mat. But if you are looking to create your own little home studio or feel it’s time for an upgrade, then adding some equipment might be the next step for you. When it comes to choosing a mat, two important things to consider are texture and thickness!
Texture: Take into consideration both the texture of the floor where you will be doing most of your practice (wood floor, tile floor, carpet…) and the texture of the mat. Some mats can be slippery (like a banana peel) on smooth surfaces (such as a wood floor). YOU DON’T WANT TO SLIP AND FALL!
Some mats have the same texture on both sides and some have a different texture on the bottom side to provide more sticking and traction. Whether the mat is the same on both sides or different on each side, some mats are slick and some mats stick better than others. Pay attention to texture and choose appropriately depending on the needs of your home space.
Thickness: Mats come in different sizes from thin to thick. Again, consider your needs – your body physically and your space (hard floor or soft carpet). A thinner mat on a firmer surface can give more feedback, but if you have certain physical conditions practicing on a hard floor with a thin mat may not be the best fit. For example, if you are boney, have boney areas, a joint replacement or arthritis, you are going to want to consider a thicker mat.
Mats:
Thin – EcoWise Flat MatAt 1/4″(0.6cm), this is the thinnest mat on this list (although there are thinner versions out there available from other sellers). If you are going to be practicing on carpet, this could be a fit for you. Made from closed cell foam, these mats are free of latex, PVC and chloride.
Medium – EcoWise Pilates MatAt 3/8” (1cm), this is thicker than the “flat” mat listed above. This is also made of closed cell foam and free of latex, PVC, phthalates and chloride.
Thick – Balanced Body Aeromats At 5/8” (1.6cm), this is the thickest mat on this list (although there are thicker ones available from other sellers). If you will be practicing on a hard surface, this will give more padding but do be cautious as this mat is smooth and doesn’t provide traction so it is a slip risk.
Special Mention: Airex® Pilates Mats Yamuna likes this mat. It is 5/16 (0.8cm) thick and happens to be sanitized! This is one of the best mats in the industry (Pilates or Yamuna). Please do be aware even with this high quality mat, traction can still sometimes be an issue on certain surfaces (like wood floors). With this mat, it is possible to slide like an accordion on smooth surfaces when practicing Pilates or yoga moves like downward facing dog. Currently, it is sold out at some major Pilates manufacturers, but it looks like it is in stock at the Physical Therapy manufacturer. Both resources are listed below: Balanced Body Pilates
If you have any questions about Pilates or choosing the right mat, please let me know. Glad to guide you in a good direction that fits both you and your space. Stay healthy and safe!
