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This 45-minute beginner workout focuses on mat pilates routine. Led by Jessica Casalegno, it targets core, shoulders, spine with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

23 exercises in Workout 5

Warm-up2 exercises
4m 9s
0:00
Seated Breathing and Neck Stretches

Draw your chin down into your chest until the chin touches the chest.

neckspineshoulders
low
4:01
Cat-Cow Stretch

Dome through the top of the spine, tuck your hips under, squeeze your core.

spinecoreglutes
low
Strength2 exercises
3m 8s
14:01
Modified Tricep Push-ups

Elbows stay pulled in towards the ribcage.

tricepschestshoulderscore
high
41:41
High Lunge with Knee Taps

Keep your chest upright to continue to engage through that right quad.

quadsglutescore
high
Flexibility1 exercise
59s
3:01
Seated Side Oblique Stretch

Spreading the left ribs like fingertips, opening up the left oblique.

corespine
low
Balance2 exercises
3m 19s
38:20
Warrior Three with Toe Taps

You can have a small bend in that right knee to maintain balance.

gluteshamstringscoreankles
high
40:01
Tree Pose with Lateral Sway

Focus your gaze to maintain your balance.

coreankleships
medium
Cool-down3 exercises
0s
49:10
Reclined Spinal Twist

Aim to keep both shoulders planted on the ground.

spinelower backhips
low
50:51
Happy Baby and Reclined Butterfly

Draw those knees down towards the ground. Your goal is to open up the hips.

hipsinner thighslower back
low
52:31
Savasana and Final Forward Fold

Snap your body all the way on up, engage the abs, reach down, try to touch the toes.

full bodyhamstringsspine
low
pilates9 exercises
14m 23s
5:11
Hovering Knee Cat-Cow

Inhale into cow spine, knees hover. Exhale, round back, knees hover.

quadscoreshouldersspine
medium
7:01
Opposite Knee Taps in Tabletop

Think about keeping your hips as squared as possible.

coreshoulders
medium
11:01
Bird Dog Taps and Crunches

Exhale to crunch in, inhale to lengthen out.

coreglutesshouldershamstrings
medium
24:01
Twisted Down Dog to Single Leg Reverse Tabletop

Right hand comes over towards our left ankle.

shouldershamstringsglutescore
high
26:41
Single Leg Bound Teaser

Keeping your knees as straight as possible, toes as pointed as possible.

corequadship flexors
high
31:00
Three-Legged Dog Arabesque Lifts

Keeping the rest of the body nice and still as you do these arabesque lifts.

gluteshamstringsshoulders
medium
32:31
Plank Knee Crunches

Pull the knee all the way in between your elbows.

coreshoulders
high
33:31
Modified Side Plank with Leg Lifts and Crunches

Make one long line between hand, shoulder, hip, and toe.

outer thighscoreshoulders
medium
46:40
Teaser Toe Taps

Every exhale, you raise the legs. Every inhale, you tap.

corehip flexors
high
yoga4 exercises
7m 17s
7:41
Child's Pose to High Cobra Flow

Round through your back like a wave or a serpent or a snake.

spineshoulderships
low
9:01
Thread the Needle with Bind

Bend your right elbow, drop your left cheek down onto the mat.

shouldersupper backspine
low
20:00
Downward Facing Dog

Try to get that head to come closer and closer down towards the mat.

hamstringscalvesshouldersspine
medium
21:01
Sun Salutation with Chaturanga Push-ups

Three chaturanga push-ups. Give me three, two, one.

full bodyarmscore
high

Muscles Targeted

Primary

coreshouldersspine

Secondary

gluteshamstringships

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Option one: right hand crawls up over head
  • Option two: right hand comes back behind to grab inner thigh
  • If you cannot reach the ankle, you can grab shin or back of the thigh
  • Easiest: hands behind you
  • Middle: hands in airplane
  • Hardest: hands in front
  • Hands free
  • Anjali Mudra (pointer and thumb touch)
  • Option one: knees parallel to floor
  • Option two: extend legs and point toes
  • Regular straight leg savasana
  • Reclined butterfly savasana

Coaching Highlights from Jessica Casalegno

Keeping the rest of the body nice and still as you do these arabesque lifts.

Form

Everyone has the elbows in, everyone keeping their forearms off of the mat.

Safety

You can have a small bend in that right knee to maintain balance.

Modification

Squeeze and lift like a tree swaying in the breeze.

Motivation

I come from classical Pilates training, and I'll be honest — I think most online Pilates classes skip the fundamentals that actually matter. Core activation isn't about crunching harder. It's about finding your deep stabilizers and letting them do the work they were designed for.

Form

Health Benefits

Women navigating Pelvic Floor, low libido will find this session particularly relevant. The focus on core and shoulders addresses the specific tension patterns and movement deficits that often accompany these conditions. No prior experience needed — every movement has a modification.

pelvic floor weakness

90% relevant

pelvic floor strengthening; core stability; breathwork

low libido

90% relevant

pelvic floor strengthening; blood flow to pelvis; body reconnection; parasympathetic activation

doctor dismissal

90% relevant

Parasympathetic nervous system activation to reduce stress and anxiety often associated with medical gaslighting.; Improved body awareness and interoception to help women better articulate symptoms and advocate for themselves.; Enhanced core strength and stability to build physical resilience and a sense of groundedness.; Increased self-efficacy and confidence through mastery of movement, empowering women to trust their own bodies.; Gentle strength building to support overall health and combat the physical toll of chronic stress.

motherhood burnout

90% relevant

Parasympathetic nervous system activation to reduce stress and anxiety; Improved body awareness and interoception to reconnect with self; Gentle strength building to combat physical fatigue and improve posture; Cortisol regulation through morning movement and mindful practices; Pelvic floor and core stability to address common postpartum physical stressors

dating after 40

90% relevant

Stress reduction and emotional regulation through parasympathetic activation; Improved body awareness, confidence, and self-perception; Enhanced posture and physical presence for increased self-assurance; Increased energy and vitality for social engagement; Development of lean muscle mass for metabolic health and body composition

Relevant For

anxietyback painbalancecardiovascularcore strengthflexibilityhip painknee painmetabolismneck painposturesciaticashoulder painspinestress

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Jessica Casalegno

Pilates Trainer

From: Full Body Pilates