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Course Syllabus

DANC 1054 Pilates Mat/Conditioning

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Theater and Dance
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 1; Lab: 1
  • Semesters Offered: TBA
  • Semester Approved: Fall 2026
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2031
  • End Semester: Summer 2032
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 20

Course Description

Based on the pioneering work of Joseph Pilates, this class consists of a series of stretching and strengthening exercises designed to develop muscle tone, flexibility, and posture. The class will also include some cardio work. This course is repeatable for credit.

Justification

Pilates is a mind, body, and spirit practice. Its benefits include improved posture, better coordination and balance, increased lung capacity, improved concentration and focus, increased body awareness, stress management, and injury prevention. This class may fulfill the conditioning for dance requirements for students pursuing a dance degree at a four-year college.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate a proficiency in beginner to intermediate-level mat exercises.
  2. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to perform pilates-based principles of centering, concentration, control, precision, breath and flow.
  3. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to model improvement in posture and muscle tone, endurance, and flexibility.
  4. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to recognize the relationship between strong core muscles and movement.

Course Content

Each class will begin with a warm-up series (core activation, pelvis, and shoulder stabilization) and gradually progress to the more physically demanding mat work series meant to lengthen and strengthen all the body's major muscles, including the core, torso, arms, and legs.This class welcomes students of all abilities and backgrounds. While the teacher serves as a model, he/she/they also encourage each student to progress at their own pace. The students are also empowered as teachers as they will work in small groups and lead certain class sessions.