If you’re new to Pilates, or just new to The Studio, an Intro class is a great place to start. We slow everything down, show you how the equipment works and teach you the basics, so your first group class feels familiar instead of overwhelming.
In an Intro class you’ll learn how to find and use your core and pelvic floor, how to breathe through each exercise, and a few of the classic Pilates moves you’ll see in every class. You’ll also pick up the words instructors use, like “neutral spine” and “tendon stretch,” and learn how to set your springs and when it’s okay to modify an exercise.
Safety
Safety comes first, and the reformer has a few moving parts: the carriage, the footbar, the springs and the straps. Your instructor will show you how each one moves and how to set the reformer up for different exercises. Every studio’s reformers are a little different, so even if you’ve taken classes somewhere else, it’s worth learning how ours work.
Reformers are also expensive machines, and while they’re pretty sturdy, we want every client to find them in great shape. Your instructor will show you how to treat the equipment with care and how to clean it after class.
Terminology
Pilates has its own vocabulary, with ideas like breath control, alignment and axial elongation that come up in every class. Your Intro instructor will explain what they mean and how they feel in your body, along with a little anatomy, like where your “core” actually is and what a neutral spine looks like. Knowing the words makes it a lot easier to follow along once you’re in a group class.
Learning the Fundamentals
Joseph Pilates built his method on a handful of foundational exercises, and almost everything else builds on them. Learning those basics in an Intro class sets you up well for everything that comes next. It’s a bit like learning to walk before you run, and once the basics feel natural, you’ll be ready to take your practice further.
Leveling Up
New clients usually start with an Intro or a Level 1 class. Level 1 is open to everyone, and once you have 5 Level 1 or Intro classes on your account, Level 2 opens up automatically. There’s no rush to move up, and you can stay at a level for as long as it feels right. Your instructor is always happy to help you figure out what to take next.
If you’ve never been to The Studio, we recommend starting with an Intro class, even if you’ve done Pilates before, so you can get to know our equipment and how our classes flow. It isn’t required, though, and Level 1 is open to everyone.
