The movements in Pilates exercises increase strength in the abdominal, lower back, hip, and buttocks muscles. Consequently, practitioners can achieve better stabilization of the spine, more muscular control of back and limbs, and improved posture. Can Pilates exercises help back pain? Yes, Pilates can make a difference in helping with back pain because these exercises […]
Pilates at MatWorkz: Precision, Awareness & Brain-Body Science
From your first reformer session to years of deepening practice-everything you need to understand Pilates, how it works, and why it transforms more than just your body.
GYROTONIC ® versus Pilates Which is right for me?
The question the teachers at MatWorkz Pilates always hear is, “GYROTONIC® versus Pilates which is right for me?” To help you make that decision, you need first to understand both methods’ principles and objectives. The principles of GYROTONIC® are intention, stabilization through contrast, decompression of joints, and coordination of movement and breath. GYROTONIC® aims to […]
Pilates vs Gyrotonic Expansion System
I first wrote this article below in 2009 for Pilates Digest. You can find it here http://www.pilatesdigest.com/pilates-vs-gyrotonic-expansion-system/ There really is not much I would change about the article. I would add Pilates is more about uniformity and precision of the body. GYROTONIC® is less so. I do not use the word “core” any longer when I […]
Party like it is 1999!
1999 seems a long time ago, but in the same instance time has flown. As Einstein said, time is relative! When one of my teachers came to me and said, ” Deborah, no one knows where we are.” It gave me pause. So some 18 years after we opened the first studio location in Hannibal Square, […]
5 Reasons to try Pilates
There’s no secret here: Pilates is good for EVERY body. And I do mean everybody and here are 5 reasons to try Pilates today! If you’re still wondering what Pilates is, that’s OK – you’re not alone. It’s still a somewhat misunderstood corner of the exercise world, even though it’s one of the fastest-growing areas […]





