Why do you exercise? To stay healthy, decrease jiggle, improve your mood, decelerate aging, improve strength? When we move, change occurs. At times this movement might seem slow, forced, habitual but over time it transforms your body. This is particularly true in the Pilates realm as Joseph Pilates said: "In 10 sessions you will feel better, in 20 sessions you will look better, and in 30 sessions you will have a whole new body!"
Movement creates change. As you commit to movement you will notice improvement in posture, strength, stamina, flexibility and an overall sense of wellness. This style of change happens from the inside out. Imagine seeing your heart growing stronger, your fat cells shrink, your muscle fibers strengthen, your lung capacity expand...we might all be a bit more committed to the exercise process. But we see ourselves from a mirror...not an MRI scanner. In that case we have to employ a little imagination and creative visualization.
The entire Pilates method is based on 6 Principles designed to be utilized during the entire series of exercises. These principles are also applicable to all of life. The genius of Joe Pilates' method is his clarity for understanding how people learn; by repetition in multiple situations. The more ways we learn something and the more variations we have of that knowledge the better equipped we are to use that information in everyday life, where the method counts most. Joe is said to have emphasized training that "prepares us for the unexpected."
Consider the following Pilates Principles and their application to your daily life.
Concentration. The Power Pilates Manual instructs participants to perform exercises with the correct mindful intent; to focus on deepening their awareness into the movement. It is better to do one repetition correctly, completely and with control, than many without. How can well-developed concentration help you in your daily activities?
Centering/Stabilization: Movement originates from the center...from your core. Initiating movement from a stable source is important for injury prevention and for power development. A stable core is developed through the practice of the opposition of movement...i.e. can you lift one leg without hiking the opposite hip? If you lack stability and the ability to oppose forces, then you fall! What types of motions do you perform during the day that would be enhanced with a strong core?
Control: Boy do I need this in Pilates as well as in my speech, my actions, and my relationships. Control in Pilates means to pay full attention to the details in positioning, in setting-up the exercise as well as in the sequencing and performance of the movements. Lose control in Pilates and the core loses out on benefits. Lose control in life and well, you know, all kinds of things happen!
Efficiency of Movement/Fluidity/Flow: There are transitions between each exercise to aid in connecting one motion to the next. Life is full of transitions. How smoothly do you flow from one to the next?
Breath: A necessity in Pilates to facilitate core support, intensify movements, and allow for a relaxed effort. Breath...a necessity for life.
Precision: It's all in the details. Pay attention to the optimal alignment of the body as a whole. Pilates is not about working one body part...it's about connecting all your awesome parts to move fluidly. Nothing works in isolation from another. Are there situations in your life that would benefit from a bit more precision?
Pilates provides a system or framework for movement. I will not be perfect at Pilates (thanks mom for the tight hamstrings) nor will I be perfect at life (thank you God that I don't have to be). But I can have a reasonable system to direct my life's practice and purpose. The next time you lack motivation for exercise or question whether physical change is occurring, consider the far-reaching effects that come from putting healthy principles in to practice. Those things we don't see in the mirror are often the most valuable.
Movement creates change. As you commit to movement you will notice improvement in posture, strength, stamina, flexibility and an overall sense of wellness. This style of change happens from the inside out. Imagine seeing your heart growing stronger, your fat cells shrink, your muscle fibers strengthen, your lung capacity expand...we might all be a bit more committed to the exercise process. But we see ourselves from a mirror...not an MRI scanner. In that case we have to employ a little imagination and creative visualization.
The entire Pilates method is based on 6 Principles designed to be utilized during the entire series of exercises. These principles are also applicable to all of life. The genius of Joe Pilates' method is his clarity for understanding how people learn; by repetition in multiple situations. The more ways we learn something and the more variations we have of that knowledge the better equipped we are to use that information in everyday life, where the method counts most. Joe is said to have emphasized training that "prepares us for the unexpected."
Consider the following Pilates Principles and their application to your daily life.
Concentration. The Power Pilates Manual instructs participants to perform exercises with the correct mindful intent; to focus on deepening their awareness into the movement. It is better to do one repetition correctly, completely and with control, than many without. How can well-developed concentration help you in your daily activities?
Centering/Stabilization: Movement originates from the center...from your core. Initiating movement from a stable source is important for injury prevention and for power development. A stable core is developed through the practice of the opposition of movement...i.e. can you lift one leg without hiking the opposite hip? If you lack stability and the ability to oppose forces, then you fall! What types of motions do you perform during the day that would be enhanced with a strong core?
Control: Boy do I need this in Pilates as well as in my speech, my actions, and my relationships. Control in Pilates means to pay full attention to the details in positioning, in setting-up the exercise as well as in the sequencing and performance of the movements. Lose control in Pilates and the core loses out on benefits. Lose control in life and well, you know, all kinds of things happen!
Efficiency of Movement/Fluidity/Flow: There are transitions between each exercise to aid in connecting one motion to the next. Life is full of transitions. How smoothly do you flow from one to the next?
Breath: A necessity in Pilates to facilitate core support, intensify movements, and allow for a relaxed effort. Breath...a necessity for life.
Precision: It's all in the details. Pay attention to the optimal alignment of the body as a whole. Pilates is not about working one body part...it's about connecting all your awesome parts to move fluidly. Nothing works in isolation from another. Are there situations in your life that would benefit from a bit more precision?
Pilates provides a system or framework for movement. I will not be perfect at Pilates (thanks mom for the tight hamstrings) nor will I be perfect at life (thank you God that I don't have to be). But I can have a reasonable system to direct my life's practice and purpose. The next time you lack motivation for exercise or question whether physical change is occurring, consider the far-reaching effects that come from putting healthy principles in to practice. Those things we don't see in the mirror are often the most valuable.
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