Defined for The Pilates Place South West, the following are 8 principles of The Pilates Method:
Breathing
The most important principle of life – life giving breath, to extend the use and awareness of your breath is to extend your life. Conscious breathing gives you the element of conscious control, relaxation and once perfected, stamina. Pilates posterior lateral breathing, corsets the abdominals, elongates the spine freeing the major joints for better mobility. Coupled with pelvic floor and neutral pelvis Pilates breathing gives us essential balanced posture. For the blood to charge the system with oxygen and purge the body of impurities, breath controlled and co-ordinated with Pilates movement revitalizes out body, mind and spirit.
‘You can live without food for weeks, you can live without water for days, you can only live without breathing for minutes’
Centring
To be aware of our deep centre from pelvic floor, diaphragm and the dome of the scull is to be aware that physiologically every movement is an extension of our core, an expression of our being. An overused but essential term ‘core stability’ in an integrated strength of the internal and external torso abdominals including the anterior, lateral and posterior. This is three-dimensional centring, an idea that is often neglected. All energy and support of our body begins in our centre, our core, and to build a strong powerhouse, so all movements flows outwards, to the extremities with conscious control and least amount of stress and strain, is fundamental to Pilates.
Concentration
Clear and focused mind, body and spirit is the only way one can possibly achieve personal growth. Pilates is a discipline of our minds as much as our bodies offering an almost meditative embrace of ones physical awareness, so much so Joseph Pilates initially called it ‘Contrology’ – ‘The mind develops the body’. For the correct recruitment, control and isolation of muscles one has to be mindful and accurate in the execution of all exercises.
Control
Our conscious control of our movement allows us to access further development and possibilities. Control is not about restriction or tension and the Pilates method teaches us to release inappropriate resistance or mobility and balance the execution of strength, extension and flow. Conscious control leads us away from gross motor habitual inefficient movement, to refined motor-effective and proficient mobility. This control allows relief, maintenance and improvement efficient physical co-ordination, relieves physical stress, pressure and strain, rehabilitating injuries or ceasing further degeneration, allows the body to reach new potential.
Isolation
Is the ability to distinguish the unique movement of a muscle group rather than inappropriate muscle inhibition. We need to be aware of reciprocal inhibitative strength to allow the potential of deep site specific muscle mobility which leads us to flowing movement.
Flowing movement / Co-ordination
Is the demonstration that the Pilates devotee has integrated the last 5 concepts and is executing the exercises with rhythm, co-ordination and awareness of progression from one area of strength and mobility through to another.
Precision
Every movement in the Pilates Method has a purpose, not being precise is to forsake the benefits. Precision is a demonstration of intricate physical awareness and appreciation, where every muscle, joint and breath is aligned, in tuned and moving with purpose, regardless of the speed and strength of the exercise. Eventually it becomes second nature and carries over into all aspects of your life as grateful economy of movement.
Stamina (Power)
Ultimately the Pilates Method when practiced thoroughly with all of the above principles will give the individual incredible respiratory and pulmonary stamina. Through it is not cardiovascular, the positions, breathing and power at an advanced level requires a combination of isometric and isotonic muscle mobility which raises deep muscle temperature and increases muscle strength. Though the repetitions are few, the exercises are varied, the sequencing challenging, and all positions at an advanced level require a heightened level of stamina and strength. Dedicated clients and teacher will testify the great freedom it brings.
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