Perfect Your Pilates Form With This 15-Minute Mat Routine

You probably don't have a Reformer at home, but as long as you have a mat (or even just a carpet!) and the right instructions, you can get in a low-impact Pilates workout while social distancing.

In fact, according to Club Pilates instructor Vanessa Johnson, “mat workouts force the body to make up for the assistance that springs provide on the Reformer.”

That means mat-based Pilates routines should focus on smaller, controlled moves.

Being very cognizant of those movements is also key during at-home Pilates workouts. Because an instructor isn't there to correct your movements, Johnson recommends constant self-body scans to ensure you're practicing proper form.

As far as what routine to follow, we recommend this 15-minute sequence curated by Johnson. Check out her step-by-step guide below, and visit Club Pilates on Instagram for more virtual workouts.

Chest Lifts

Start on the mat on your back, knees bent and feet flat on the ground or under the couch.
Bend your ..

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Therapists Explain How to Create a Yoga Practice to Calm Anxiety and Find Peace Amid Chaos

You couldn't call me a regular yoga practitioner, but something changes when I'm overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious. That wasn't happening all that often until this year. A few months ago, it was when I got injured and marooned from my usual workout routine. Now, like many other people, I'm sheltering in place; cut off from my friends, my family, my gym, and my workplace; and caught up in a relentless and often upsetting news cycle. Since January, I've been doing yoga at least three times as much as I used to, and it's not just because I was too hurt to do anything else or because it's now one of the few workouts I have space for in my apartment.

Yoga has a measurable impact on your mental health. According to a 2019 study from the Boston University School of Medicine, yoga sessions improve sleep quality and feelings of tranquility and positivity, while decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression. And while the positive effects build up over time —..

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