Principles of Pilates

Pilates, like yoga and martial arts, has a strong mind-body element whose underlying principle is to unite the body. Through the use of focused breath control, postural symmetry, stabilization of the shoulders and pelvis, joint mobility, muscular flexibility, and developing the core strength, pilates can achieve significant improvements in posture, balance, and flexibility.

One of the main principles of Pilates exercises is an emphasis on strengthening the whole body, rather than just specific sets of muscles. Pilates strengthens muscles that are usually ignored or overlooked by other forms of exercise.

For instance, Pilates even strengthens the muscles of the ankles and feet. Because Pilates strives to achieve whole body strength and fluidity, most fitness experts agree that regular pilates practice can help prevent injury.

Another fundamental of the Pilates Method has to do with strengthening the core. The core refers to the group of deep abdominal muscles, or the trunk of the body. Pilates reasoned that strengthening the core would help strengthen the whole body, and help unite the lower extremities with the upper extremities of the body.

Centering

One of the main principles of Pilates is centering. Pilates was borderline obsessed with the muscles in the abdomen, lower back, buttocks, and pelvic region. He called these muscles ‘the powerhouse’, and many exercises are dedicated to strengthening this area.

Centering refers to Pilates’ belief that energy begins in the powerhouse area, flowing outwards to the extremities of the body when the situation merits it. This gives those who practice pilates a sort of base for their actions.

Concentration

Next of the principles of Pilates comes is concentration. In this low-intensity type of exercise, it’s not the repetitions you do that reap benefits, it’s the quality of the exercise that you’re doing.

To that end, Joseph Pilates stressed that you must concentrate on your body exclusively while you are performing Pilates. The more that you think about how your body is making movements, the more complex you will find the movements to be.

Control

Control is next in Pilates’ principles. Since Pilates training is focused on teaching proper control of the muscles of the body, one needs to make every effort to keep their movements crisp, sharp, and under control.

Instead of focusing simply on the motion of the body parts in which the exercise is involved, you should consider the control of your entire body while performing Pilates, ensuring that you won’t make minor movements that distract from the focus.

Precision

Much along the same vein of control is precision. The movements in pilates need to be quite precise in order the obtain the desired results. The goal of one practicing pilates should be to perform one repetition that is perfect as opposed to many repetitions that are neglecting some small facet of the exercise.

Breathing

Arguably one of the most important principles of Pilates is breathing control. Joseph Pilates believed that in order for the body to be properly used during exercise, it needs a fresh flow of oxygen and proper exhaling in order to rid the body of any needless entities.

The timing and the quality of breathing is addressed in Pilates, with movements coordinating with inhaling or exhaling.

Every Pilates exercise is based around proper breath control, and a quote from Joseph Pilates stated exactly how important proper breath control is to his program: “Even if you follow no other instructions, learn to breathe properly.”

Flowing Movement

Last, but not least, of the principle of Pilates is flowing movement. Where many exercise routines require jerky, quick motions, fluidity is stressed in the work of Pilates. When performed properly, pilates techniques should appear to flow as gracefully as a dance. This can help you in your sense of balance, your posture, and your overall grace.