The Pilates Principles

Concentration

During Pilates you should focus on your entire body to ensure correct alignment and smooth movements.  This is not easy and will develop over time. In Pilates the exercise technique and how exercises are performed is, in many respects, more important than the exercises themselves.

Control

Every exercise in Pilates must be done with control.  Fundamentally it’s about you being in control of your body and understanding how to move correctly. 

Centering

To effectively control your body you must have a starting place and that place is your center.  You’ll often hear this called the ‘powerhouse’ which is a term that means your center. All movement in Pilates should begin from your center, your powerhouse and flow out to the limbs.

Flow

Exercises within Pilates are intended to flow into each other to help build strength and stamina. 

Precision

Pilates is not about doing many repetitions poorly, Pilates aims for precise and perfect movement.  With regular Pilates and expert instruction this precision will eventually become second nature and carry over into everyday life. 

Breathing

Typically in Pilates you focus on breathing out with effort and in on the return.  Coordinating breathing with movement is an important part of Pilates, you should concentrate on each breathe and feel the engagement of your powerhouse.