The Deliverance is in the Details

"Concentrate on the correct movement each time you exercise, lest you do them improperly and thus lose all the physical benefits.”

-Joseph Pilates

In my last blog I wrote about the unique feeling of strength, clarity, and confidence that comes from practicing Pilates.  These results don’t happen by accident, nor are they found in doing just any set of exercises on a Pilates apparatus or in a Pilates studio.  They are the result of dedicated attention to the principles of the method by both you and your instructor.  The traditional principles of the Pilates Method are:

• Breath - Movement with respiration.

• Centering - Movement supported from the powerhouse (core muscles) outward.

• Concentration - Full attention on the exercise.

• Control - Movement that is neither too fast nor too slow.

• Flow - Smooth, continuous motion during an exercise.

• Precision - performing the entirety of an exercise in the correct plane of motion and with correct body position.

  There are many interpretations of these principles among Pilates professionals and some schools even add additional principles.  However, the message remains:  Move with deep intention and focus.  This is the key to unlocking the magic.

An analogy that I often use is that of a tree.  There’s the visible part of the tree:  The trunk, branches, and foliage.  These are the outward benefits of Pilates; better posture, more confident movement and, yes, leaner abs and a “better” butt.  However, in order to support its outward growth, a tree must have strong and stable roots.  Cut down a branch and it can regrow.  Take out the roots?  That tree will fall over and quickly die.  There’s only one way to build stable roots that allow your branches to grow strong:  Solid, consistent fundamentals.

The beginning of a person’s Pilates journey is the “honeymoon phase”.  Every workout feels fresh and exciting, you get introduced to a variety of equipment, and the impact on your body is obvious.  You can feel new muscles waking up, and each exercise seems uniquely challenging.  A common refrain from new practitioners is, “I found muscles I didn’t even know existed!”  Like all honeymoons, the magic eventually fades and the real work of building a long-term practice begins.  Focusing on precision and consistency in each movement builds sustainable roots that give your body and mind the opportunity to thrive through the ups and downs of life.  So the next time you’re not fully checked in or “challenged” enough in a Pilates session, check your roots:  Are they growing stronger, or are they withering?

How do you maintain your roots even during challenging times?  Find out in my next blog, Move the Goalposts.