Principles of the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning

The Pilates Method of body conditioning, developed by the legendary German national Joseph Pilates, generally follows carefully laid out principles based on a well-constructed philosophical and theoretical foundation.   Although it is considered throughout the world as a form of exercise, there is actually much more to the Pilates Method of body conditioning than its being an exercise.  It is not merely a collection of exercises but a method, developed and refined over more than eighty years of use and observation.

While Pilates draws from a number of diverse exercise styles, bringing the principles of yoga, Greek and Roman ideals and Zen together, there are basically certain ruling principles that are inherent to the Pilates Method of body conditioning.  These principles are the ones that bring all those ideals together under the Pilates name.  These include centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing and flowing movement.  Let’s take a look at these principles one by one.

Centering

The Pilates Method of body conditioning called the group of muscles in our center or the core, also known as the “powerhouse”.   This encompasses our abdomen, lower back, hips and buttocks.  According to Pilates, all energy needed for the workouts start from the powerhouse, and then flows outward to the extremities.   The physical energy is then exerted from the core to coordinate one’s movements.   In this way, a strong and potent foundation is built upon which to rely in daily living.

Concentration

Under this principle, the Pilates Method of body conditioning requires you to concentrate on what you are doing, all the time.  Along with this, you must also concentrate on your entire body.  Once you start really to focus and concentrate to your body, you will find a movement which may have seemed simple at first glace, but actually quite complex.

Control