PERSONAL TRAINING
PILATES PRINCIPLES
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In general people new to Pilates breathe shallowly, only allowing air into the upper part of the body.
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Joseph Pilates emphasized deep, full breaths filling your lungs and letting your ribcage expand. Breathing correctly can promote awareness and attention , enhance natural movement which will help calm the mind.
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Coordinating your breathe with the movements helps connect the mind with the body.
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Your breathe is your music for your movement and your movements are led with your breathe.
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Pilates without breathe is just movement, it fuels your movement. In Pilates we need to switch from the automatic breathe to breathing with intension. Our focus is to breathe laterally wide into the sides,
backs of the ribs. Inhaling through the nose , exhale through the mouth. Sue encourages to focus on creating your own rhythm for your movement.
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BREATHE
CONTROL
Muscular control is the foundation of Pilates . Control refers to the quality of the movement performed and is only improved through practise. Sloppy movements can lead to injury and therefore defeat the purpose of the exercise. By working on balance and control, Pilates teaches the body and person to work more efficiently. The slower and more controlled movement is the greater strength we gain.
CENTRE
Your Centre is your "power-house" which consists of your abdomen, lower back and pelvis. In Pilates , all moves originate from your power-house, outwards to your limbs and upper torso. Activation of our centring muscles is paramount throughout every movement, your aim is to create your very own corset of strength. With continuous practise of Pilates you will have a strong supported spine and improved posture.
CONCENTRATION
Concentration is an essential element when connecting mind and body.
Concentrating on alignment will aid correct muscle recruitment and allow a balanced smooth precise movement. This will result in a greater awareness of your body and how it moves in everyday life. This powerful mind -body connection is the heart of Pilates .
PRECISION
Pilates focuses on perfect and precise movement. Every movement has a purpose and when it is performed with precision , one move is worth more than several half hearted ones! To place the body in a certain exact position beginning stages can be difficult but continuing with the practise technique leads to control of the movement and therefore exact execution of the exercise.
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FLOW
Flow is often called "FLUIDITY" and it refers to the grace and ease Pilates exercise should be performed. There are no rigid or static moves in Pilates , instead the movement is dynamic and smooth. Pilates based exercises are performed as a continuous flow of movement as in a wheel turning continuously with the same speed throughout the cycle and range of movement. it is within this that the body can be targeted with both eccentric and concentric phases resulting in balanced and functional training. Think of a flow of movement without any beginning or no ending.