Pilates


Pilates is a method of exercising developed by Joseph Pilates in the early part of the 20th century. He called the method Contrology because he believed it helped the mind to control the muscles. It focuses on using the core postural muscles to keep the body balanced and to provide support for the spine.

The main principles of Pilates are:

  • Mind over matter. The aim of the Pilates method is to fuse the mind and the muscles so that your body will move elegantly without you having to think about it. In practicing Pilates, you learn how to make the most of your body strengths, improve the weaknesses and counteract any imbalances. During the exercises, you have to be constantly paying attention to your body movements.

  • Breathing. In Pilates you learn how to do posterior lateral breathing, which means you inhale by taking in deep breaths to the back and sides of your rib cage. When you exhale, you can feel your deep abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles engaging and you maintain this position as you inhale again. Each of the exercises in the Pilates method contains breathing instructions.

  • Centre. According to the Pilates method, the centre of all movement in the body is the group of muscles in the centre of the body – abdomen, lower back, hips and buttocks. It is important to build up strong muscles in this area to provide the energy the body needs for all movements.

  • Concentration. Focusing on your body movements is essential in Pilates. When you are exercising one part of the body, you should be assessing how other parts of the body are moving at the same time. You start learning how to do this with small controlled movements and by using controlled breathing.

  • Control. In Pilates, you learn how to control your muscles and there are no uncontrolled movements in the exercises. Every movement has a purpose and you focus on doing each one perfectly.

  • Precision. There is a definite pattern to the exercise routine of Pilates and you cannot rush or leave out any of the components when exercising.

  • Flow. Between exercises you do not stop moving as continuous movement of the body is necessary in order to obtain the best results from this method.