The Beginner Pilates Daily Core Flow workout features the best warm up exercises you should do before every Pilates class. A perfect and quick warm up routine, this workout consists of 7 core-focused exercises for beginners starting with abdominal breathing breathwork, spinal mobility and balance exercises, and finishes with core activation and strengthening. Let’s get started!

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Beginner Pilates Daily Core Flow (8-Minute At Home Workout)

The Beginner Pilates Daily Core Flow workout features the best warm up exercises you should do before every Pilates class. A perfect and quick warm up routine, this workout consists of 7 core-focused exercises for beginners starting with abdominal breathing breathwork, spinal mobility and balance exercises, and finishes with core activation and strengthening. Let’s get started!

This post includes affiliate links. I do earn a commission for products purchased using these links (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for supporting PILATESBODY by Kayla, making the content you see on this blog possible.

This Beginner Pilates Daily Core Flow Workout is part of our 8-Week Pilatesbody Challenge Program.

If you’re looking to heal your body, diminish pain, and gain Pilates body confidence, the Pilatesbody Challenge is a full body, comprehensive workout program to strengthen your core, tone your glutes, and cultivate a 360° approach to lead a healthy(ish) lifestyle.

Spend just 30-minutes a day, 6 days a week, mastering activating your deep inner core muscles, engaging your gluteal muscles properly, and breathing through your core techniques. With 21 low-impact, body-weight workouts requiring minimal equipment, and coaching from me (certified Pilates instructor), this challenge was created with care to specifically support women who are experiencing common health roadblocks like pelvic floor issues and back pain.

LET’S GET STARTED

Download Your Course Guide + Workout Calendar

Download your PDF Workout Calendar and easily access the Daily Workouts inside the Online Course Guide with Progress Tracker.

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PILATESBODY-Challenge-PILATESBODY-by-Kayla-8-week-on-demand-pilates-program-long-lake-minnesota-minneapolis

LET’S GET STARTED

Download Your Course Guide + Workout Calendar

Download your PDF Workout Calendar and easily access the Daily Workouts inside the Online Course Guide with Progress Tracker.

Beginning Pilates At Home

You’ve probably tried Pilates in a studio or gym, but guess what? You can totally dive into Pilates from the comfort of your own home. That’s right—No need for your certified Pilates instructor to be with you in person. All you need to get started is access to their best online Pilates classes or programs, the right workout gear, a little know-how, and you’re all set to kick off your Pilates journey right in your own living room!

What makes Pilates appealing is its accessibility. It is perfect for beginners while also being adaptable to different fitness levels for the intermediate or advanced. By integrating Pilates core exercises into your daily routine, you will gradually build strength and alignment over time.

Embarking on a daily Pilates routine at home can be an enriching path toward enhanced fitness and well-being. This popular exercise method offers a comprehensive approach, focusing on deep core strength, flexibility, and body awareness, all within the comfort of your own space and on your own time schedule.

Beginning Pilates at home allows you to set the pace and create a personalized practice. You can complete the workouts on your own schedule, in the comfort of your own home. You can even invite your family and friends over for a sweat sesh and create a sense of Pilates community. Engaging in Pilates not only fosters physical strength but also cultivates a sense of tranquility and balance within your home environment. It’s a journey worth exploring for a more centered and resilient self.

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The Pilates Principle of Flow

Pilates is based on a set of principles that guide the practice and application of the exercise method. These principles were established by Joseph Pilates, the founder of the Pilates method. The principles of Pilates are:

  1. Centering
  2. Concentration
  3. Control
  4. Precision
  5. Breathing
  6. Fluidity (or Flow)

The Pilates Principle of Flow refers to having continuous, controlled, and precise movements while performing the method’s exercises. The principle of flow encourages smooth transitions between exercises without abrupt stops or jerky motions. This continuous flow helps engage multiple muscle groups, improves coordination, and enhances the mind-body connection. Joseph Pilates emphasized the importance of flowing movements to promote flexibility, strength, and overall body awareness.

Flow (or Fluidity) is emphasized specifically in core exercises. Core exercises aim to engage and strengthen the muscle groups that make up the core while promoting stability and flexibility. By incorporating the principle of flow into core exercises, this creates well-rounded, integrated, and functional core strength with emphasis on control, precision, and coordination. This approach helps individuals develop a strong and stable core that supports overall body movement, posture, health, and well-being.

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Benefits of Daily Pilates Core Exercises

Consistency in Pilates fosters a deeper connection to one’s body, gradually refining posture and muscle tone with each session. Through daily engagement, Pilates becomes more than a workout routine; it becomes a lifestyle, enhancing physical resilience, and mental clarity while nurturing a sustainable path to overall wellness. Here are some benefits of incorporating daily Pilates core exercises into your fitness routine:

  1. Enhanced Core Strength and Stability — Discover how daily Pilates can fortify your core muscles, fostering better balance, stability, and overall strength.
  2. Improved Flexibility and Posture — Explore how a daily Pilates regimen can transform your flexibility and posture, alleviating stiffness and promoting a more aligned, graceful physique.
  3. Mental Clarity and Stress Relief — Delve into the mental benefits of daily Pilates, including reduced stress, increased mindfulness, and a heightened sense of well-being through focused movement and breathing techniques.

Daily Pilates Workout Routine FAQ

Is it OK to practice Pilates everyday?

Pilates can be done everyday. However, it is crucial to have variety in your workouts so you don’t over train muscles and risk injury. I programmed my Pilatesbody Challenge and Wall Pilates Challenge to have variety by training different muscle groups on different days to achieve optimal results and not to over train them.

How many times a week should I do Pilates to see results?

Michael Dermansky, of MD Health, says “If you’re looking to build muscle through Pilates, consistency and dedication are essential.” He recommends a minimum of 2-3 Pilates sessions per week for at least 13 weeks in order to give your body the right stimulation to grow and improve, and to give your body the appropriate amount of rest it needs.

Is 20 minutes of Pilates a day enough?

Absolutely, twenty minutes of Pilates every day can make a real difference! Even in that short time, you can really focus on your core strength, flexibility, and how your body moves. It’s all about quality over quantity—making sure every movement counts and engaging those muscles properly. Especially if you’re just starting, it’s a great way to ease into it and build up your strength and confidence with the exercises. As you get more comfortable, you might want to explore adding a few more exercises or gradually increasing the time to get even more out of your practice.

8-Minute Pilates At-Home Workout

Best Beginner Pilates Daily Core Flow Exercises

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A Pilates flow refers to a sequence of Pilates exercises performed in a continuous fluid manner. The smooth transitions between the movements creates a seamless experience and challenges your mind-body connection. This Beginner Pilates Daily Core Flow workout features 7 core exercises, making it the perfect quick warm up routine for a core boost! Are you a busy mom? This workout is for you!

Workout Equipment

Other than a Pilates mat, this is a no equipment workout!

* Click here to view all items featured in this workout blog. *

Shop My Pilates Mat

This Eco-friendly Pilates mat is made of high-density soft foam with a durable surface. It is easy to clean and easy to hang with its reinforced eyelets. Available in a variety of sizes and fun colors!

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best-pilates-mat-exercise-mat-on-amazon-at-home-workouts-for-beginners-PILATESBODY-by-Kayla

Shop My Pilates Mat

This Eco-friendly Pilates mat is made of high-density soft foam with a durable surface. It is easy to clean and easy to hang with its reinforced eyelets. Available in a variety of sizes and fun colors!

Workout Instructions

Follow along with the guided Beginner Pilates Daily Core Flow YouTube Workout, led by Certified Pilates Instructor, Kayla Brugger of PILATESBODY by Kayla.

Fitness Level: Beginner

Duration: 8-Minute Workout

Overview:

  • Core Pilates Breathing
  • Spinal Mobility
  • Core Activation and Strengthening
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Prefer to Watch on YouTube?

7 Pilates Flow Core Exercises to Engage Your Deep Core & Warm Up

Transverse Abdominal Breathing Exercise

Targets: Inner Core, Mind-Body Connection.

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How to Do Transverse Abdominal Breathing

  1. Start in tabletop on all 4’s, hands and knees.
  2. Keep a flat back and inhale to release the belly muscles.
  3. Exhale maintain flat back and draw the core muscles in and up engaging the transverse abdominis.
  4. Repeat for 30 seconds.

* For a live demonstration of the Transverse Abdominal Breathing Exercise, watch the workout video at the top!

Cat-Cow Stretch Exercise

Targets: Breathwork, Spinal Mobility

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How to Do a Cat-Cow Stretch

  1. Start in tabletop on all 4’s hands and knees.
  2. Inhale as you arch your back and drop belly down into a stretch looking up for cow pose.
  3. Exhale tuck the chin, round your spine into cat stretch.
  4. Repeat for 30 seconds.

* For a live demonstration of the Cat-Cow Stretch Exercise, watch the workout video at the top!

Side Squeeze Exercise

Targets: Obliques, Side Body

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How to Do Side Squeezes

  1. Start in tabletop on all 4’s, hands and knees. Maintain the deep core connection from your transverse abdominal breathing.
  2. Exhale, turn chin to right shoulder squeezing the side body as you look for your right hip, activating the obliques.
  3. Inhale return to center in neutral spine.
  4. Exhale, turn chin to left shoulder, squeezing the side body as you look for your right hip, activating the obliques.
  5. Repeat for 30 seconds.

* For a live demonstration of the Side Squeeze Exercise, watch the workout video at the top!

Spinal Balance Exercise

Targets: Core, Balance, Mind-Body Connection

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How to Do Spinal Balances

  1. Start in tabletop on all 4’s, hands and knees. Maintain the deep core connection from your transverse abdominal breathing.
  2. Inhale lift right arm and left leg long.
  3. Exhale return to tabletop.
  4. Inhale lift the left arm and right leg long.
  5. Exhale return to tabletop.
  6. Repeat for 30 seconds.

* For a live demonstration of the Spinal Balance Exercise, watch the workout video at the top!

ISO Ab Contraction Exercise

Targets: Deep Abs, Core Stamina

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How to Do ISO Ab Contractions

  1. Lay flat on your back with knees together and bent in tabletop position.
  2. Inhale softly place palms on thighs.
  3. Exhale press palms firmly into the thighs without letting them move while engaging deep abs.
  4. Inhale release press.
  5. Repeat for 30 seconds.

* For a live demonstration of the ISO Ab Contraction Exercise, watch the workout video at the top!

Head Nod & Curl (Chest Lift) Exercise

Targets: Inner Core, Mind-Body Connection

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How to Do Head Nod & Curls (Chest Lifts)

  1. Begin by laying on your mat in neutral spine position (relaxed back muscles and the natural curve of your spine appears), knees bent and feet hip-width on the floor.
  2. Exhale tuck your chin towards your chest and begin to lift your head off the mat using your abdominal muscles while you glide your hands forward and off the mat to hover.
  3. Inhale return the head back to neutral.
  4. Repeat 30 seconds.

* For a live demonstration of the Head Nod & Curl Exercise, watch the workout video at the top!

Pilates Clockwork Exercise

Targets: Individual Abdominal Muscles and Mind-Body Connection

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How to Do a Pilates Clockwork

  1. On your exercise mat, begin by laying down with your peace fingers placed on your upper abs and on your lower abs. In this exercise, think of your upper abs as ’12:00’ on a clock face, and your lower abs as ‘6:00’.
  2. Begin to activate only your upper abs at ’12:00’, without activating your lower abs at ‘6:00’. Hold for 3 seconds and release.
  3. Then, activate only your lower abs at ‘6:00’, without activating your upper abs at ’12:00’. Hold for 3 seconds and release.
  4. Continue to individually activate the upper and lower abs, going back and forth a few times. Then, try to remove your hands and repeat steps 1 – 4 again.

* For more information, read my Pilates Principle of Concentration and the Clockwork Exercise blog post.

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EcoWise Premium Exercise Mat

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Pilates Tank with Sports Bra

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Pilates High Waisted Leggings

Did You Try the Pilates Core Flow Exercises?

Share your favorite exercises below in the comment section! If you haven’t tried any yet, I’d love to chat with you on how to start!

Your Friend & Pilates Expert,

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Kayla Brugger
Founder of PILATESBODY by Kayla
Founder of PILATESBODY On-Demand

The Pilatesbody Challenge

8 weeks to strengthen your inner core, build your body confidence, and cultivate a 360° approach to a healthy(Ish) lifestyle with Online Course Guide and Daily On-Demand Pilates Workout Videos

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PILATES-BODY-Challenge-PILATESBODY-by-Kayla-8-week-on-demand-pilates-program-long-lake-minnesota-minneapolis

The Pilatesbody Challenge

8 weeks to strengthen your inner core, build your body confidence, and cultivate a 360° approach to a healthy(Ish) lifestyle with Online Course Guide and Daily On-Demand Pilates Workout Videos

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Hi, I'm Kayla Brugger. Certified Pilates Instructor & Minnesota Mama of 2.

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