On the morning of April 9, Dr. Cathy Pagani and 10 students from her KIN 109 class met in Smith Hall, though they weren't there to tour the Alabama Museum of Natural History. They each carried a Pilates mat, laying them neatly on the floor beneath the massive skeleton hanging from above.

Under the replica of a basilosaurus cetoides — an early archaeocete whale that lived off the state coast 34 to 40 million years ago — and surrounded by fossils, Dr. Pagani led her class in a series of Pilates exercises. The museum was an interesting change of scenery from the UA Student Recreation Center, where the class usually meets in the mornings.

Physical Condition: Pilates is a course that equips students with the skills and knowledge to help them practice Pilates safely and effectively. Pilates is a holistic whole-body movement and mind approach to exercise developed by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. By using a system of repetitive exercises, it improves your physical health and well-being but your mental health as well by helping your body release stress and other emotional tension.

Not enrolled in one of these Pilates courses? No problem. The Student Recreation Center offers 45-minute group exercise classes in classical and modern mat Pilates as well as Pilates Reformer classes. The reformer classes incorporate Balanced Body Allegro® Reformers and other props to help individuals get the most out of their experience. For additional information on these (and yoga) classes, please use the buttons below. For other exercise classes available at the Student Rec Center, visit the Fitness page on the University Recreation website, where you can also find membership options and info on guest passes.