The 6 Key Pilates Fundamentals
- Tola @TMacLife
- Aug 31, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 8, 2020
With the Pilates “trend” taking a back burner these days, I began to wonder why. I thought there were many benefits to practising Pilates.. So why were people no longer interested?
This lead me to explore my own Pilates journey to discover if the benefits were really worth the effort.
Turns out these carefully thought out steps are the essential principles behind Pilates
Joseph Pilates originally called his work " Contrology." He considered this to be a body/mind/spirit approach to movement founded on the integrative effect of principles such as centering, concentration, control, precision, breath, and flow. Whether one is working out on a mat or using Pilates equipment, like the reformer or cadillac, these basic principles infuse each exercise with intention and fullness of expression:
Centering:
This concept is defined as physically bringing the focus to the center of the body, the powerhouse area between the lower ribs and pubic bone. Energetically, Pilates exercises are sourced from the center.
Concentration:
If you bring full attention to the exercise and do it with full commitment, you will obtain maximum value from each movement.
Control:
Every Pilates exercise is done with complete muscular control. No body part is left to its own devices. It is all a conscious, deliberate movement that the mind is controlling.
Precision:
In Pilates, awareness is sustained throughout each movement. There is an appropriate placement, alignment relative to other body parts, and trajectory for each part of the body.
Breath:
Joseph Pilates emphasized using a very full breath in his exercises. He advocated thinking of the lungs as a bellows -- using them strongly to pump the air fully in and out of the body. Most Pilates exercises coordinated with the breath, and using the breath properly is an integral part of Pilates exercise.
Flow:
Pilates exercise is done in a flowing manner. Fluidity, grace, and ease are goals applied to all exercises. The energy of an exercise connects all body parts and flows through the body in an even way. Pilates equipment, like the reformer, are very good mirrors of one's flow and concentration as they tend to bang around and suddenly become quite "machine-like" if one loses one's control and flow.
Pilates is for everyone. Men, women, young or old. Athlete, fitness newbie or an injured person looking for rehabilitation.
Take a look at my very first Pilates session here :
All in all Pilates can unlock a world of Power you didn't realise was sitting right inside of you! For a LIVE fundamental workshop on the Power of Pilates visit our next Female Fitness Brunch on 7th September 2019. Click here to book a space at an upcoming brunch.
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