The Principles of Pilates

Concentration This is the art of being able to concentrate and block out all other thoughts. The aim is to be able to focus fully on each movement, with one movement flowing into the next, bringing mind and body together.

Breath The way we breathe in Pilates is very important and is a process that some people find difficult at first. When doing Pilates exercises we engage the deep abdominals and so it is important to focus the breathing into the rib areas. This is called lateral thoracic breathing.

Centring In Pilates it is believed that all movement comes from a strong centre or ‘core’ which we can call the ‘power house’. Every exercise in Pilates is controlled by the contraction of the deep abdominal muscles. Transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus and the pelvic floor muscles are just some of them. In Pilates we aim to strengthen these muscles.

Precision/quality Correct alignment of the body is crucial while exercising. The positioning of the body and mastering the techniques within Pilates is the key to quality execution of the movements.

Flowing movement All Pilates exercises should be performed in a continuous flowing way, aiming to achieve controlled movement through the concentric and eccentric phases, resulting in a balanced and functional training programme.

Control All Pilates movements should be executed with complete control, focusing on quality rather than quantity. This lessens the risk of injury and assists in balancing weaker parts of the body by strengthening them. Controlling the movements requires concentration while also focusing on good technique and body awareness, thus bringing together many of the principles of Pilates

Additional Principles Developed

Awareness Everybody is unique and each exercise will challenge a person in a different way. We learn our own body’s strengths and weaknesses, which in turn brings body awareness, control and effective execution of the movement. Pilates is an educational exercise programme.

Stamina As with other forms of exercise, repetition and frequency increases skill levels and the activity itself strengthens the body, preparing it for all the activity and adventures that life brings.

Relaxation It is essential to learn how to focus your mind on how your body feels as you begin to exercise. By recognising any areas of tension you can concentrate and focus on trying to release this tension. The aim is to work at learning to release any stress, relax through the body and allow it to move in a natural flowing way with ease and fluidity.