Pilates called his exercise ‘contrology’ because of the way it helped to control and unify the body, mind and spirit, but it was renamed ‘Pilates’ after he passed away. Later on his disciples developed 6 Pilates principles which have been drawn out of his exercise philosophy and are used to continue practicing the ‘Pilates Method’ all over the world!
The 6 Pilates Principles
1. Breathing, Pilates believed that breathing is the most important part of exercise and that people should learn the art of deep breathing.
Fill your lungs until they feel full and then exhale all the air back out, and that helps you to focus on the exercise and pushes the blood to your muscles.
2. Concentration, If you focus and become more mindful of each movement, you will get the most out of each exercise. It improves the connection between your mind and body and gives you a better awareness of your body’s movements.
3. Centering, Pilates called the core the ‘powerhouse’ of your body, from where all energy for exercise comes from. If you focus on your core, you can not only calm your body and your spirit, but help your muscles work more efficiently.
4. Control, Controlling and pacing your movements will allow you to direct every movement with correct form. Proper, safe and complete muscle control is better for getting good results than speed and high intensity.
5. Precision, Performing an exercise with deliberate accuracy is more important than doing lots of repetitions with sloppier form.
6. Flow, Each movement in Pilates should be smooth and graceful – think of ballet! Continuous, smooth and elegant movement as you work from one pose, exercise or movement to another helps increase your strength and stamina.