PRINCIPLES

Pilates Principles

The Breath
Breathing deeply and with the diaphragm. Inhale to expand the ribs outward, oxygen fills even the base of the lungs.
Mental Focus
Perform exercises with intention and attention.  Guided imagery helps to direct the thoughts to the body and the imagination fuels deeper levels of movement.              
Core Control
The core, “the powerhouse,” the girdle of strength, whatever name it assumes, the body’s center and the surrounding musculature possess a crucial role in practicing Pilates.  The abdominals and the pelvic floor muscles must consistently engage. 
Alignment
Continually assuming the anatomical ideal of good posture, aligning the spine and the appendages, ensures safety during exercise and elicits nearly immediate results in how people feel physically, how they appear and how they perceive themselves.
Flow
Although exercises may be challenging, the body must flow though them with precision and grace.

Benefits of Pilates

• Leaves participants feeling energized, not tired; centered, not scattered
• Unites body with the mind
• Restores proper functioning of internal organs
• Replaces muscular imbalance with youthful posture
• Conditions abdominal and pelvic floor muscles
• Relieves back, neck, hip, and joint pain
• Assists people with chronic diseases, disabilities, and musculoskeletal limitations including osteoporosis
• Boosts the immune system
• Improves performance of any sport – eliminates or reduces aches and pains and reduces injury
• Enhances sexual fulfillment
• Changes how other perceive you
• Improves balance, stability, and agility
• Induces no impact on the joints
• Complements other methods of exercise
• Slenderizes the thighs and helps the body "defy" gravity
• Can be practiced by nearly anyone.