MAT PILATES SIARGAO
The Foundation of Everything
Holding Space by Vultun, SOS Gym Malinao
WHAT IS MAT PILATES?
Mat Pilates builds strength, flexibility, and body awareness using nothing but your own body weight. No machines. No springs. Just you, the mat, and an hour of focused, precise movement that teaches your body to work as one connected system.
The mat is where Pilates began. Joseph Pilates developed his original 34 exercises on the floor of an internment camp, using only what the human body could do against gravity. Every Reformer exercise traces back to this work. When you train on the mat, you train the foundation.
A systematic review of 14 clinical trials found Pilates among the most effective interventions for chronic low back pain, outperforming aerobic exercise and general exercise programs. When a licensed Physical Therapist guides the session, each movement becomes targeted rehabilitation, not just fitness. (Source)
Our mat classes at Holding Space are capped at 12 students. Allegra and Nicole teach every session with hands-on corrections, modifications for injuries, and progressions for those ready to go deeper. Looking for machine-based Pilates? Visit Feral Pilates next door for Reformer classes.
Led by Allegra De Borja, PTRP
Philippine Board Certified Physical Therapist · Merrithew-Trained Stott Pilates Instructor
WHY MAT PILATES?
Core Strength Without Machines
Your body is the resistance. Every exercise demands deep core engagement, breath control, and stabilization that no machine can replicate. Research shows mat-based Pilates significantly improves trunk stability and reduces lower back pain.
Flexibility That Stays
Mat work lengthens muscles through active, controlled ranges of motion. Not passive stretching that disappears in an hour, but mobility your body retains because you earned it under load.
Body Intelligence
Proprioception. The ability to sense where your body is in space without looking. Mat Pilates develops this faster than any other modality because there is nothing between you and gravity. You learn to listen.
BOOK YOUR MAT PILATES CLASS
Every mat class follows a deliberate arc: warm-up, progressive loading, peak work, cool-down. You will feel your deep stabilizers engage in ways that gym workouts miss entirely. Some exercises look simple. None of them are.
All levels welcome. Beginners learn foundational principles: breath, pelvic alignment, neutral spine. Experienced practitioners get challenged with advanced progressions and longer hold times. Your instructor reads the room and meets you where you are.
Packages available for 3, 5, 10, or 15 classes. Save up to 30%. →
Select a date to see available classes and book your spot.
Not sure if mat or Reformer is right for you? Message us and we will help you decide.
MESSAGE US ON WHATSAPP →MAT PILATES VS REFORMER: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Both are Pilates. Both are led by our licensed PT. The difference is the tool, not the intelligence behind it.
MAT PILATES
- → Your body is the only resistance
- → Builds foundational core strength and body awareness
- → Practice anywhere, anytime, after learning the form
- → P600 drop-in, up to 12 students per class
- → Perfect starting point for beginners
REFORMER PILATES
- → Springs provide variable, adjustable resistance
- → Targets specific muscle chains with precision
- → P1,200 drop-in, max 4 students per class
- → Deeper work for rehabilitation and performance
- → Ideal for progressing after building mat foundations
Start with mat to build your foundation. Add Reformer when you are ready to go deeper. Many of our students do both.
EXPLORE REFORMER PILATESWHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
Google Reviews
Marine Benoit
“The best place to do Pilates in Siargao. Whether it's the Pilates reformer or mat pilates, the teachers are the best you'll ever meet and the equipment is perfect. I'm going to miss this place!”
Valerie
“I fell in love MORE with pilates because of Feral. I've been doing mat at home but doing a group + private session with Allegra truly inspired me to keep doing Pilates. I also feel confident because she teaches through the lens of Physical Therapy.”
belle teffy
“Ever since I started doing pilates at their studio, my back pain has disappeared! Allegra and Nicole are exceptional. Allegra's attention to detail and Nicole's motivating energy create an inspiring atmosphere.”
Emily So
“Allegra has created such a special space for movement and connection. Mia taught my class and her cues to form flowed so well! This has become my go-to studio in Siargao!”
pindilay
“Allegra, with her expertise and genuine dedication, not only diagnosed my levoscoliosis but also provided me with a profound understanding of the importance of awareness, intent, and discipline in achieving overall wellness. Her guidance has not only alleviated my physical discomfort but has instilled a renewed sense of vitality.”
Patrizzia Esmas
“Loved the class with Molly. The place is beautiful and ethereal. A place of healing and movement. It's quiet and spacious and the staff are warm and welcoming.”
MAT PILATES PACKAGES
Transformation does not happen in a single session.
Real change requires consistency. Our packages reward that commitment. Buy more sessions, pay less per visit, and give yourself the time to build strength that lasts.
HOW TO CHOOSE
VISITING SIARGAO?
3-Pack or 5-Pack
Perfect for a 1-week trip. Enough sessions to feel real progress without overcommitting.
LIVING HERE?
10-Pack or 15-Pack
Build a sustainable practice. These packages give you flexibility over 3-6 months.
READY TO COMMIT?
15-Pack + Privates
Maximum savings. Combine group and private sessions for accelerated results.
All packages are non-refundable but fully transferable. If your plans change, you can gift remaining sessions to a friend.
MESSAGE US ON WHATSAPP
PRIVATE MAT PILATES
One hour. One instructor. Your body's specific needs.
Private mat sessions are where clinical precision meets individual attention. Allegra assesses your posture, movement patterns, and areas of concern before building a session designed for your body alone. No shared cues. No general modifications. Everything is for you.
If you are managing scoliosis, recovering from surgery, navigating pregnancy, or working around a chronic condition, this is where you start. Allegra's background as a Philippine Board Certified Physical Therapist means she reads compensation patterns that fitness instructors miss.
PRIVATE MAT SOLO
One-on-one mat instruction tailored to your goals, limitations, and progress. Assessment, targeted work, and take-home exercises you can practice on your own.
BEST FOR: Injury rehabilitation, chronic conditions, pregnancy, or anyone wanting accelerated progress.
CLINICAL PILATES
Rehabilitation through movement. Clinical Pilates is private instruction with a physical therapy lens, designed for people managing injuries, chronic pain, or post-surgical recovery. Allegra knows when to push and when to protect.
BEST FOR: Post-injury rehab, chronic pain, pre/post-surgical conditioning, hypermobility, scoliosis.
YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Every mat class at Holding Space is led by someone who teaches from lived experience. Injury, recovery, reinvention.
ALLEGRA DE BORJA, PTRP
Co-Founder, Feral Studio · Philippine Board Certified Physical Therapist · Merrithew-Trained Stott Pilates Instructor
At 18, Allegra was hospitalized with vasculitis, an autoimmune condition that nearly destroyed her kidneys and heart. Lying in that cold hospital bed in British Columbia, she heard a whisper: "Your body is all you truly have." She left her physics degree and returned to the Philippines to study Physical Therapy, eventually passing the national board exam and training in Stott Pilates under Merrithew. She has practiced in hospitals across three Philippine islands.
Her own scoliosis led her to Pilates. Her unmedicated childbirth proved its power. Now she brings both clinical precision and lived experience to every mat session, whether you are rehabbing an injury, preparing your body for surf, or simply learning to trust what it already knows.
“Through pain, I found purpose. From the wound, I found the medicine. Through love, I found home.”
NICOLE NERY
Barre Certified · Functional Nutrition · Saddle Row Alumni
Nic is a barre-certified instructor with a deep passion for the science of functional nutrition and fitness. She infuses uplifting beats into her mat classes to create heat, rhythm, and flow. Outside the studio, she embraces an evidence-based approach to food and wellness that supports healing and vitality.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is mat Pilates?
Mat Pilates is a full-body exercise method performed on a mat using your own body weight as resistance. It builds core strength, flexibility, and body awareness through controlled, precise movements. Joseph Pilates developed the original 34 mat exercises, which remain the foundation of all Pilates training today.
Is mat Pilates good for beginners?
Mat Pilates is one of the best starting points for Pilates beginners. Every exercise can be modified for your current level, and our instructors provide hands-on guidance throughout. You will learn foundational principles like breath, pelvic alignment, and neutral spine before progressing to more challenging work.
What is the difference between mat and Reformer Pilates?
Mat Pilates uses your body weight as resistance. Reformer Pilates uses a machine with springs that provide variable resistance. A network meta-analysis in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy found both forms of Pilates among the most effective interventions for chronic pain. (Source) Mat builds foundational strength and awareness. Reformer allows more precise muscle targeting. Many students do both. Explore Reformer Pilates.
Is mat Pilates good for back pain?
A systematic review of 14 clinical trials found Pilates among the most effective interventions for chronic low back pain, outperforming aerobic exercise. (Source) Our lead instructor Allegra is a licensed Physical Therapist who specializes in spinal conditions. If you have acute or severe back pain, start with a Clinical Pilates session for a proper assessment.
What should I wear to a mat Pilates class?
Comfortable, form-fitting workout clothes. Avoid loose or baggy clothing that can obscure your form, making it harder for your instructor to correct alignment. Socks or barefoot, your preference. Bring water and arrive 10 minutes early for your first class.
Do I need to bring my own mat?
No. We provide mats and all necessary props. Just show up in comfortable clothing, ready to move.
How often should I do mat Pilates?
Two to three sessions per week is ideal for building strength and seeing measurable progress. Once a week maintains what you have. Our packages are designed around consistent practice: 5-packs for visitors, 10 or 15-packs for residents building a long-term routine. View packages.
Can mat Pilates help with surfing performance?
Yes. Mat Pilates develops the core stability, rotational control, and hip mobility that directly translate to better paddling, stronger pop-ups, and more balanced riding. Many of our students are surfers who pair mat work with surf coaching and Reformer sessions.
How much does mat Pilates cost in Siargao?
Drop-in mat Pilates is P600 per class (approximately $10 USD). We also offer packages of 3, 5, 10, or 15 classes with savings up to 30%. Private mat sessions start at P2,300. View all pricing.
Where are mat Pilates classes held in Siargao?
Mat Pilates classes are held at Holding Space by Vultun, Unit 4, SOS Gym Malinao. About a 10-minute drive from General Luna and Cloud 9. Next door to Feral Pilates (Reformer studio).
BEGIN YOUR MAT PRACTICE
Whether you are new to Pilates or deepening a practice you started elsewhere, there is a place for you on the mat. Book a group class, reserve a private session, or grab a package.
Questions? Message us on WhatsApp.
COMPLETE YOUR WELLNESS JOURNEY
Mat Pilates is the foundation. The rest of the ecosystem supports it.
REFORMER PILATES
Add spring resistance to your practice. Siargao's only licensed PT-led Reformer studio, next door.
Explore →
RESTORE
Sound healing and breathwork. The stillness after the effort.
Explore →
BEACHFRONT SPA
Pair your mat session with therapeutic massage for complete recovery.
Explore →