Frequently Asked Questions

As with any new sport, learning the fundamentals properly is essential if you want to progress safely and avoid injury. And that is why Jenn Donn Pilates classes are typically structured into block bookings across four levels:

Level 1 – Beginners

Level 2 – Improvers

Level 3 – Intermediate

Level 4 – Advanced (often delivered as monthly weekend workshops)

Practising Pilates in 6-8 week blocks allows for steady, week-by-week progression. This approach helps you develop a strong understanding of the ABCs of Pilates (alignment, breath & centring), while becoming familiar with your instructor's verbal cues that encourage precision and bring flow. 

Block-based booking is designed to create measurable change, as over the weeks you build strength, improve your range of motion and enhance mobility, all at a pace that suits your level. 

Pilates and yoga both emphasise mental focus, controlled breathing, and movement to enhance wellness, reduce stress, and improve body awareness. However, while yoga emphasises flexibility and meditative relaxation, Pilates focuses on core strength, precision, and control.

One significant difference between them lies in their origins. Yoga is an ancient Indian practice rooted in philosophy and developed over thousands of years, whereas Pilates is a modern exercise system created in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, who combined strength training, rehabilitation, and mindful movement to form his eponymous holistic conditioning method, originally called ‘Contrology’.

Today Pilates is based on principles such as breath, concentration, control, precision, and flow, which guide each movement to promote both physical effort and mental engagement.

Rather than viewing them as interchangeable, better understanding the differences between Pilates and yoga allows you to choose the practice (or combination!) that best fits your goals and lifestyle.

Starting something new can feel daunting, but your first Pilates class doesn’t need to be intimidating. At Jenn Donn Pilates, the focus is on helping you connect with your body, build strong foundations, and move with purpose and control. 

When you arrive, you can expect to be guided through exercises using a combination of demonstration, verbal cueing and tactile cueing. This ‘teaching not demonstrating’ approach encourages clients to feel each movement rather than simply performing it mechanically.

Cues are designed to be clear, concise and motivating, helping you to understand the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind each exercise. Cueing and adjustments also play an important role in keeping you safe, supporting proper alignment, balance and technique that in turn leads to better results and more confident movement. 

If you are not comfortable with hands-on adjustments, just let your instructor know. They will happily adapt to using verbal guidance and demonstration only when working with you. 

It is generally safe to practice Pilates during pregnancy if you have no complications and have been cleared for exercise by your doctor. However, as your pregnancy progresses through the trimesters, some exercises will need to be modified or avoided to keep both you and your baby safe.

Pregnancy involves significant musculoskeletal, physical and emotional changes. For these reasons, it is a good idea to go to a class specifically for pregnancy or work with an instructor who is qualified in antenatal Pilates. 

Pilates is considered one of the best forms of exercise during pregnancy because it strengthens the deep core, pelvic floor, and back muscles, helping the body adapt to the additional load. It is low-impact, joint-friendly, and can be tailored to each stage of pregnancy. 

In addition, Pilates can support postpartum recovery by helping to restore pelvic floor strength, address diastasis recti and support mental wellbeing through breathwork and relaxation.

Feeling nervous when starting something new is completely normal. Remember, no one expects you to know what you’re doing or get everything right straight away. Pilates isn’t about being “strong,” “flexible,” or “coordinated” enough to begin, and Jenn Donn Classes provide a space for you to listen to your body and learn to move in a way that feels good.

Beginners often take a few blocks of classes to build core strength, improve control, and develop confidence in the fundamental movements. This applies to both matwork and equipment-based Pilates, such as reformer or Cadillac classes.

If you have any injuries or concerns, be sure to let your instructor know so they can support you with appropriate modifications. And just come along and have some fun while getting stronger, improving balance and posture, enhancing mobility and building body awareness. Lessons and skills that can make life on and off the mat easier!

The great thing about mat Pilates is that you don’t need any expensive clothing or equipment to get started. Wear something comfortable that allows you to move easily, and check with your instructor beforehand to see if mats are provided or if you need to bring your own.   

At first, it can feel like a lot to take in—listening to cues, following demonstrations, and remembering to breathe. It’s completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed or uncoordinated in the beginning. Rather than trying to keep up with others or perfect exercises, focus instead on consistency and the journey. With regular practice, the strength, precision and flow will follow.

If you need to buy a mat or are thinking of replacing an old one for Pilates, check out the “Mat chat” FAQ. It covers key considerations from clients when choosing and some best buy suggestions. 

A thick Pilates mat (typically 10mm–15mm) is better than a thin one because it provides essential cushioning for the spine, knees, and hips during floor-based exercises. Unlike yoga mats, which are thin for stability, Pilates mats prioritise padding to protect bony areas during movement and help to make practice more comfortable and effective.

Other common considerations include mat flexibility and storability. Ideally you want a mat that lies flat without curling at the edges and can be easily rolled up for storage without unravelling. Taller clients should also check the length to ensure full-body comfort when lying or stretching out. While a cheaper mat might initially seem appealing, they often wear quickly and can shed or ‘bobble’ over time. 

Popular options include Airex mats which are high quality and long-lasting with the fitline range being especially portable. Decathlon also has a great selection, often available in store to try before purchasing.  

Neither is inherently better or harder than the other—both are highly effective forms of Pilates. The choice between mat and reformer depends on your goals, experience, and what your body needs.

Matwork uses your own body weight, sometimes with small props such as overballs, therabands, light weights, foam rollers, resistance bands or Pilates magic circles. The challenge comes from control, precision, and maintaining stability without external support. It is the original form developed by Joseph Pilates and can be done anywhere with just a mat.

Reformer classes instead use a specialised machine with adjustable springs that provide resistance or assistance. This can help support movement, build strength, and improve alignment, making it especially helpful for beginners or those recovering from injury. 

Rather than one being better, mat and reformer work best together. Matwork builds independent control, while reformer enhances awareness and supports movement patterns. If mat classes are the only option, do not view them as ‘less than’. The matwork is incredibly effective and literally the thing that Joseph Pilates wanted all of us to do everyday!

How often you practise Pilates depends on your goals, experience, and lifestyle but consistency matters more than intensity.

If you’re new to Pilates, even 1–2 sessions per week can make a noticeable difference, especially when you focus on quality of movement. As you become more familiar with the exercises, you may choose to increase this to 3–4 times per week combining matwork with equipment classes such as reformer, cadillac, tower or wunda chair. 

Ultimately, the best routine is one you can maintain consistently. Pilates is designed to support long-term, sustainable change rather than quick results. Exercises target deep core and stabilising muscles, helping to build a strong, balanced body that supports everyday movement.

In fact, Pilates is often a go-to choice for athletes to support their training, as well as for those experiencing reduced mobility due to illness or injury. It is widely relied upon as a safe, restorative system of exercise that builds strength gradually and can be easily adapted to suit individual needs.

In a mat class, a good range is usually 6–12 people. This is small enough for the instructor to give corrections and closely monitor technique. Once classes exceed around 15–20 people, it becomes more difficult to provide individual feedback.

Smaller class sizes also help create a more supportive and focused environment, where clients can progress at their own pace and build confidence over time.

Jenn Donn Pilates classes are deliberately kept small to maintain this level of quality instruction. In addition, the block booking system encourages consistent attendance, which supports progressive learning and helps clients develop strength, control, and technique more effectively over time.