6 Pilates Principles to Guide Your Practice in the New Year

Let’s start 2021 with a few baby steps. Instead of going all out with the New Year, New Me lingo, let’s focus on something we can control: our Pilates practice. Pilates doesn’t just tag along when you’re working out, it can come with you every day and in every scenario for a more focused, flexible, clear, protected, graceful YOU! Joseph Pilates’ 6 Principles will guide you as you strengthen your core, improve your posture, and Teaser your way into 2021.

So what are these principles and how can they help you may ask? I’ve broken each one down for you below.

Centering

Take the time to originate your movements from the torso area of your body or what Joseph Pilates referred to as the “Powerhouse”. With strength in the core, you will be able to move safer and with more freedom in the extremities. Think about it, almost everything that matters to make your body run is located in the “Powerhouse”. Use the principle of Centering in Pilates for protection of organs, strength surrounding your fragile spine, and freedom to move with ease.

Control

Pilates is a total body experience. The principle Control will allow your entire body to work together to fashion a balance between your most dominant muscles and those that may be getting left behind. Anyone can quickly flail from exercise to exercise, but in Pilates we search for beautiful body control in movement to create the support you need to take with you into the motions and activities of your every day life.

Concentration

Let’s look for complete integration of mind, body, and spirit in your Pilates practice. This is so much more than just another form of physical fitness. The exercises performed on the mat or apparatus are just as much about the brain as your body. Concentrate on moving with purpose using laser focus. There isn’t even a moment to wander the mind before you’re on to the next exercise in your repertoire.

Precision

Precision can be found along with mastering the previous principle of Concentration. Aim to move with intention. Focus on alignment and form instead of just getting through the workout. Every single element of your body has a place in every single exercise. You won’t believe the differences you’ll feel in your body once you incorporate Precision in Pilates. As one of my favorite teachers always said, “slow is the way to go”.

Breathing

Revitalize every cell in your body with a nice, deep diaphragmatic breath. Pilates, like Yoga, focuses on combining movement with breath to oxygenate the body and create support for the most efficient movement. Breathing three dimensionally in through the nose and out through pursed lips sends vibrations into you “Powerhouse” for the ultimate activation of the multifidi supporting your vertebrae and transverse abdominus, deepest core. As Joseph Pilates said, “Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Our very life depends on it”. AKA it’s important.

Flow

Have you ever seen someone stroll across the room effortlessly without cinches or pain? Some of us can only dream of moving with such ease. Pilates Flow creates graceful maneuvers without a starting or stopping point. We take Flow with us as we transition from exercise to exercise but also through life everyday. Better posture. Better reactivity. More confidence. These can all be achieved with one simple thing: Pilates.

Let’s do this together! Not sure where to start? Sign up for your first 3 Zoom private sessions with me for just $100. We’ll find a plan that works for you on your time, to reach your goals, in the comfort of your own home. See you on the mat.