Pilates

What are the basics for a perfect Pilates exercise? This is a list, with the seven principles of Pilates, which will serve as a guide to complete all the Pilates exercises at the highest level.

• Alignment: Body balance and body flexing are essential and consequently, it is very important to achieve a good twist of the body, always keeping the spine in an ideal position. We want benefits not pain, so the entire body must be aligned in order to avoid injuries.

• Centralization: is the basic idea of the Pilates method and what makes it different to yoga or gymnastics. This is because the control of our body starts from a “power centre” area which consists of the abdominals, the base of the back and buttocks. Thanks to controlling the mind over our body, we will achieve a perfect chain connecting all the muscles.

• Concentration: every exercise is the result of mind control and thus full concentration is required. In Pilates, nothing is left to chance and even breathing should be controlled by our minds. Full concentration is essential.

• Control: control over each of the Pilates exercises is very important. A good control of Pilate’s techniques means the avoiding rapid, uncontrolled movements. Moreover, a good control means we will not make repetitive movements that may pose a burden of extra effort, and any wrong move.

• Fluency: we must achieve a perfect harmony in our every move when it comes to doing any Pilates exercise. We achieve this thanks to perfect, fluent movements, as they have to be in perfect harmony with the muscles and the mind.

• Accuracy: this is the factor that will determine whether we obtain a perfect result of our Pilates exercise. We must take much care of posture, since making a movement or exercising without the utmost precision increases the risk of injury.

• Breathing: It is important to maintain a proper level of concentration in the Pilates method. In addition, it helps us to develop a perfect aerobic exercise, obtaining greater lung capacity and better blood circulation.