The principles of pilates

Pilates is an exercise routine that incorporates literally hundreds of different positions and exercises in order to find harmony with the body. Those who undertake it can find themselves with increased flexibility, better strength in their stabilizer muscles, better posture, and a host of other positive effects. The exercises that surmise pilates rest upon six basic principles that were created by the originator of the exercise routine, Joseph Pilates.

The first of the principles laid out by 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.

Next in the six principles comes 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 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.

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.

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.”

Last, but not least, 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.