Is Pilates difficult to learn?

Pilates? It shouldn't be that difficult. I mean, isn't it just something where you lie on a floor and do some abdominal exercises and use a big ball?.

This is probably how many people go into their first Pilates class. How hard can it be?
The fact is that Pilates requires much more than just your body.

Pilates requires presence. Pilates requires concentration. Pilates requires you to be present. That is, if you want results!
From the outside, the exercises themselves may look easy. But the facial expressions of the team members often reveal what's really going on. They are struggling. Their eyes express intensity, focus and concentration. It's hard!

Pilates is difficult because the exercises target your deep muscles, the small muscles at the base of your spine that stabilise and mobilise your body and allow you to perform all the other movements you do throughout the day.
These are muscles that you don't normally exercise, which is why every single exercise requires you to go one layer deeper than usual. And that requires concentration on the mat, so Pilates is as hard as you make it. The more presence, the greater the benefit.

It's clear that the people who come and lie down on the mat with their heads full of thoughts are the ones who aren't getting the most out of training. And maybe that's one of the reasons why some people choose other sports that require less concentration and focus.

A run, for example, with music blaring in your ears, provides a breath of fresh air - a nice break - where you can run freely, without having to think about what you're doing, while the notes of your favourite song guide you along the way.
Or maybe you opt for a group workout in the gym with your friend, where you can chat about anything and everything between exercises.

At Pilates Cph there is no music playing.

There is no talking. There are no breaks. They are built into the flow of the exercises. The breathing works like music, creating a steady rhythm that is accompanied by fluid movements. And you are the dancer - in other words, you create it all yourself!

And this is where the answer lies. Pilates requires your presence 100% if you want 100% benefits.
You haven't learnt it all in 10 times. Nor in 20.
There are many principles to apply to each exercise and it takes time to master so much at once.
But that's not to say that you won't get something out of the training right from the start.

This is also where Pilates training differs from other sports. Because every time you spend an hour on the mat, you'll feel yourself moving, discovering new muscles, new layers. You'll get better.
And the better you get, the harder the workout gets. Your ability to focus and combine all the principles improves, taking you even deeper into your body... And the more fun Pilates becomes.

The small exercises that you thought were so easy at first suddenly become difficult challenges that can be felt - felt in the way that makes your muscles vibrate, gets your blood pumping and creates the positive changes in your body.
But then again, Pilates is only as hard as you make it.