At the heart of Pilates lies something simple and demanding at the same time: the mat. Before the machines, before the variations, there is the original work created by Joseph Pilates, which he called Contrology. The mat exercises are not a preparation for something else. They are the method in its purest form.
What defines classical Pilates on the mat is not only the exercises themselves, but the sequence in which they are performed. The 34 exercises follow a precise order, each one preparing the body for what comes next. This sequence creates a logic in the body, a progression that builds strength, coordination, and control in a very specific way.
You begin with foundational movements that establish connection and rhythm. As the sequence unfolds, the demands increase. The body is asked to move with more control, more range, and more fluidity. Transitions become just as important as the exercises themselves. There is no pause, no break in concentration. The work becomes continuous.
This is where the depth of the mat reveals itself. Without the support of apparatus, there is nothing to rely on but your own organization. The sequence challenges you to maintain precision while moving through increasing complexity. It teaches you how to connect one movement to the next, how to carry strength through the entire body, and how to stay present from beginning to end.
#marchmatness is a celebration of this sequence. Created by Benjamin Degenhardt, it brings the global Pilates community back to the original 34 exercises, one per day throughout the month of March. By slowing the sequence down and giving each exercise its own moment, it allows for a deeper understanding of how the system is built.
At the same time, #marchmatness highlights something essential. While each exercise can be studied on its own, its real meaning comes from its place within the sequence. The order is what creates the method. It is what transforms individual movements into a complete and intelligent system.
The mat is where everything comes together. It asks for clarity, consistency, and control, all within the structure of the sequence. This is why it remains at the core of the method.
March Matness simply brings that into focus. It reminds us that the power of Contrology is not only in what you do, but in how everything connects.
At Pilates School of Movement in Brussels, we are dedicated to preserving and teaching Classical Pilates as it was originally designed. Our approach is rooted in precision, consistency, and a deep respect for the method as a system. We believe in building strong foundations through the original work, allowing progress to come from understanding rather than variation.
We offer Classical Contrology across both private sessions and group classes. This allows the method to be experienced in its full structure, whether in an individual setting or within a shared practice. The mat remains central to everything we do, as it is where the principles of Contrology are most clearly expressed.
We continue to invite our clients to step onto the mat, to explore the sequence, and to experience the depth of the work as it was intended.
If you’d like to try a Classical Pilates Mat class, come visit us! : )
For a look at our #marchmatness posts last year and this one, visit us on Instagram!