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The Bernardsville Yoga Center has offered Pilates Mat classes since 1999. It offers beginner, ongoing, and private Pilates classes during both day and evening.

The Pilates instructors are certified by the PhysicalMind Institute of New York and Santa Fe to teach the Pilates Method. Ongoing classes incorporate the use of Magic Circles, dynabands, and foam rollers. Students are encouraged to work at their own pace, and many students improve to an advanced level.

Pilates Matwork was developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s. The German-born Joseph Pilates used his engineering background and knowledge of different forms of exercise (including Yoga) to design a set of exercises that helps individuals develop body awareness, balance and control. His emphasis on the use of the muscles in the "core" (all layers of abdominal, buttocks and back muscles) has the result of strengthening and lengthening the body -- improving posture, body alignment, and one’s overall sense of well-being.

Pilates was primarily used by dancers for rehabilitative purposes until recently, when it became popular with Hollywood stars. The matwork is a wonderful way to achieve the beautiful "long and lean look!" Many students at The Center have lost inches around their hips, waist and back from taking mat classes. Students offer testimonials to new students about the number of pant sizes they have dropped! Other students who complained of back problems before starting Pilates talk of the rehabilitative benefits of the matwork. Pilates will help you look and feel better.

Come join our classes and be inspired by those around you at The Bernardsville Yoga Center.