Principles of Pilates
The benefits of Pilates come as a direct result of continually practicing the Principles of Pilates during your sessions. As your awareness continues to grow, this will transfer into your everyday, movement activities. Joseph Pilates did not directly lay out these Principles. However, over the years, teachers have developed their own specific language for these concepts. You will surely find a very similar version of the Pilates Principles, listed below, to be the foundation of any Pilates program. These concepts dictate the approach to Pilates.
Relaxation - Deep breath and concentration have a calming effect on the central nervous system. Stretching literally removes tension from the muscles.
Centering - Our center refers to the musculature located deep within the abdominal area. From our center we support our spine and major organs. All movements originate from our center and radiate out towards the limbs.
Precision - Each movement is performed with sustained awareness of the appropriate alignment relative to other body parts and the trajectory for each part of the body. The correct postural alignment is very important. If you repeatedly perform real life tasks or Pilates’ exercises with poor alignment then you create wear and tear on the body. With continued practice, proper alignment during your Pilates practice will transfer into your daily activities. This creates more efficient and healthier movement patterns.
Flow – Pilates' movements are executed in a flowing manner. The movements should not be jerky or originate with a gust of momentum. The smooth, flowing energy of the exercise should connect the body as one unit to move with fluidity, grace, and ease.
Core - The cage of strength from which all Pilates exercises originate. This “Powerhouse” includes the abdominals and back muscles, as well as the diaphragm and pelvic floor. The strength of the core provides stabilization for the movement throughout the entire body.
Breath - Breath is fuel for the core. Pilates utilizes a deep, lateral breath with specific breath patterns for each exercise. As a general rule, inhale through the nose on extension of the spine and exhale through the mouth with flexion of the spine. Whatever you do, KEEP BREATHING with attention and intension and you will develop a natural and efficient rhythm to your movement.
Control – Pilates’ exercises are performed with complete muscular control of every part of the body during every exercise. The mind is consciously and deliberately controlling the body.
Concentration - Mind and Body connection is the core of Pilates. Specific attention to the execution of an exercise creates this connection. Concentration on full body awareness, not just the body part in motion, is essential to an effective Pilates practice. Cues and imagery are used by teachers to help the student incorporate the correct energy into the body.