Pilates
Pilates is an exercise system that aims to restore healthy biomechanics and optimal movement.
What is Pilates
Many things have been written about Pilates as a method, and the man behind it, Joseph Pilates. But every teacher brings a different experience, and, although we teach the method, the process is always interpreted through our own eyes. Pilates develops strength, coordination, flexibility and mind-body connection. Many of us have exercised at some point in our lives and we will be familiar with some of the exercises. But what the method offers is a new awareness of how to perform these exercises correctly and mindfully. While the fitness industry is promoting exertion and tiring workouts that offer no understanding of the body, Pilates embraces awareness. It is not about copying the movement as you would do in a gym. It is about understanding the movement, understanding the what, why and how.
It is important to know what you are doing as this encourages the mind/body connection. It is important to know why you are doing it as this will help you understand what parts of your body you are using and strengthening. And it is important to know how you are doing it so you can do it correctly and reap the benefits from each exercise.
Apart from the exercises that you might be familiar with such as sit-ups, back extensions and push-ups, there are many other exercise that you might not have heard of before, such as the hundred, rolling like a ball, the roll up, the seal, or the saw. All aim to help you develop your mind-body-spirit connection, coordination, flexibility, core control, muscle strength and posture. So in each exercise, you have to stay focused in order to perform it correctly and improve or correct the biomechanics of your body.
Every somatic technique, every athletic style, or physical art has at its core some principles. Applying these principles in movement is what distinguishes each method.
Principles
6 Pilates Principles
Breathing
Precision
Control
Centering
Concentration
Flow
Joseph Pilates used six principles to guide his students. Breathing, centering, control, concentration, precision and flow are the Pilates principles that if applied correctly become a holistic mind-body-spirit practice.
Although these principles are paramount, the practice of Pilates has been evolving and many other schools have emerged that add more depth into the practice. STOTT PILATES®️ is a contemporary approach based on the principles of Joseph Pilates, but it incorporates knowledge and wisdom from modern research. As such, a new set of principles have been added that place more emphasis more on the biomechanics of the human body. Breathing, pelvic placement, rib cage placement, scapular movement and stabilisation and head and cervical placement not only further develop Pilates as a method but also help us to deepen our understanding on how to perform each exercise optimally.
I personally believe that the most important advantage of Pilates is that each exercise can be modified according to different body types and needs. That’s why Pilates uses so many props, such as the Pilates band, the Pilates ring, and the Pilates ball. Consequently, it is appropriate for complete beginners to top athletes and dancers.
Although these principles are paramount, the practice of Pilates has been evolving and many other schools have emerged that add more depth into the practice. STOTT PILATES®️ is a contemporary approach based on the principles of Joseph Pilates, but it incorporates knowledge and wisdom from modern research. As such, a new set of principles have been added that place more emphasis more on the biomechanics of the human body. Breathing, pelvic placement, rib cage placement, scapular movement and stabilisation and head and cervical placement not only further develop Pilates as a method but also help us to deepen our understanding on how to perform each exercise optimally.
I personally believe that the most important advantage of Pilates is that each exercise can be modified according to different body types and needs. That’s why Pilates uses so many props, such as the Pilates band, the Pilates ring, and the Pilates ball. Consequently, it is appropriate for complete beginners to top athletes and dancers.
*Trademark or registered trademark of Merrithew Corporation, used under license