Joseph Pilates, created "The Pilates Principles" in order to condition an individual's entire body. He targeted concentration, control, proper alignment, precision, breathing, centering and flowing movement.

All in all, Pilates exercise sessions are developed in such a way to increase a person's strength and flexibility.

This exercise method is also aimed at lengthening the body and correctly aligning a person's spine. This method is NOT aimed at building overall muscle mass as in weigh-lifting.

Think dancer versus body builder.

Pilates himself believed that rather than performing many repetitions, over and over, for any individual exercise, that by doing any one exercise with great precision you can achieve much more significant results.

Pilates Principles - A Brief Introduction

The goal of Pilates is to produce a union of mind and body, so that a person constantly pays attention to their own body while doing each of the individual movements. This is the most important aspect of the Pilates method.

Breathing

Full and thorough breaths are an important part of every Pilates exercise. Additionally, proper breathing should be carefully coordinated with movement. Each individual exercise is accompanied by detailed breathing instructions. Pilates himself said, “Even if you follow no other instructions, learn to breath correctly”.

Centering

All energy for Pilates exercises begins from the areas of the abdomen, lower back, hips, and buttocks and flows outward to all of the extremities. Pilates called this area the "powerhouse" - instructors today call this area the "core".

Concentration

The method of Pilates demands an intense amount of focus. Beginners are taught to pay careful attention to their bodies while performing each movement.

Control

Every individual Pilates exercise movement must be performed with the utmost precision and control, focusing on all your individual body parts. Overall, proper form for safe, effective results is much more important than multiple repetitions of a single movement. Quality is much more important than quantity.

Precision

Each and every movement within the Pilates method of exercise has its own individual purpose. The main focus of this method then is on doing one precise and absolutely perfect movement, rather than several incorrect ones. It is extremely important that you be aware of each and every movement.

Below is Ford model Lorie Baker demonstrating some great Pilates moves:

Want to learn more? See a few exercises in action? Click on the link below to see a few Advanced Pilates exercise videos.

Return from Pilates Principles to Advanced Pilates Videos