Principles Located Nearby

Six Principles of Pilates

There are six principles that are the foundation of the Pilates approach to exercise. Taking into account that Joseph Pilates did not set these principles, yet they were set off his teachings later by his followers is very important because you will find that there are different versions. The six principles of Pilates are taken from Joseph’s original work called “contrology” which he considered to be body/mind/spirit approach to movement founded on the integrative effect of principles such as centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing and flow.

1)      Centering: Physically bringing the focus to the center of the body, the powerhouse area between the lower ribs and pubic bone. Energetically, Pilate’s exercises are sourced from center. In order to attain control of your body you must have a starting place: the center. The center is the focal point of the Pilates Method.

2)      Concentration: If one brings full attention to the exercise and does it with full commitment, maximum value will be obtained from each movement. In Pilates the way that exercises are done is more important than the exercises themselves

3)      Control: Every Pilates exercise is done with complete muscular control. No body part is left to its own devices.

4)      Precision: In Pilates, awareness is sustained throughout each movement. There is an appropriate placement, alignment relative to other body parts, and trajectory for each part of the body.

5)      Breath: Joseph Pilates emphasized using a very full breath in his exercises. He advocated thinking of the lungs as a bellows — using them strongly to pump the air fully in and out of the body. Most Pilate’s exercises coordinate with the breath, and using the breath properly is an integral part of Pilates exercise.

6)      Flow: Pilates exercise is done in a flowing manner. Fluidity, grace, and ease are goals applied to all exercises. The energy of an exercise connects all body parts and flows through the body in an even way. Pilates equipment, like the reformer, are very good mirrors of one’s flow and concentration as they tend to bang around and suddenly become quite “machine-like” if one loses ones control and flow

Practicing Pilates

Pilates is normally a 30 to 90 min class. Each class contains an exercise technique founded by Joseph H Pilates, designed to build balance and strength utilizing the core muscles in the body. You can practice Pilates here locally in Cheyenne at:

• Act Two Studios located on Bluegrass Circle
• Bodylines Dance Theatre on Nationway
• Sedona Fitness on Stillwater
• YMCA on Lincolnway

Also you can join the Facebook community for Pilates at:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cheyenne-Wyoming/109588499067433?sk=nearby&topic=174832985894571

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