Pilates

Pilates is built around it’s eight basic principles:

Concentration

This programme requires the movement of both body and the mind. It is essential that you concentrate on every movement to develop correct alignment and body awarenesses.

Breathing

“Before any real benefit can be derived from phyiscal exercises, one must first learn how to breathe properly. Our life depends on it” – Return to life Joseph Pilates

Focus on breathing is essential to this form of exercise. Breath is one of the keys to life itself – the respiratory muscles are the only skeletal muscles essential to life – yet breath is often taken for granted. Research has shown that co-ordinating breathing out with movements that require the greatest effort provides the spine with the greatest stability. It helps us to decrease activity in muscles that are not necessary to the movement taking place. Co-ordinating the breath and movement takes practice.

Centering

The aim of Pilates is to teach the core or  ‘centre’ stability and then progress by test this stability with challenging movements. To achieve this effectively an individual must gain an understanding of alignment. Centring is a dynamic process that relates directly to both the challenge of limiting any unwanted movement as well as maintaining the control and flow of the movements that are supposed to be taking place at any given movement throughout the exercise.

Intergration

Breath, control, mindfulness, centering, alignment and precision unite as the many groups of muscles work together to support and govern movement. Practicing each of the above principles achieves Pilates’ goal of an integrated mind-body workout.

Alignment

The Pilates method stresses good posture and awareness of the placement of all parts of your body. During your Pilates workout, it is important to be aware of the position of your head, neck, spine and pelvis to ensure proper breathing and technique.

Control

Pilates’ method is based on mindfulness, including proper, safe and complete muscle control. With proper control, you utilise the exact and correct form, leaving no part of your body unattended. In your mindful awareness, you direct each and every movement.

Flowing Movement

Flowing movement provides part of the uniqueness to the Pilates method. A focus on controlled, graceful and yet dynamic movement should be at the core of each movement.

Precision

Executing one exercise with deliberate exactitude is more important than completing more repetitions with sloppier form. For this reason, good Pilates instructors provide detailed instructions to their students on all Pilates movements.