The Six Pilates Principles

Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath and Flow.

These six principles are the foundation of the Pilates approach to exercise. They are what makes the Pilates method so very unique in the fitness world. Whether one is working out on the mat or using a piece of Pilates equipment, like the reformer or cadillac, these 6 principles are the touchstones of every exercise.

Joseph Pilates originally called his work "contrology", and by that he was referring to a body/mind/spirit approach to movement that was founded on the integration of these principles:

1. Centering: Physically bringing the focus to the center of the body, the powerhouse area between the lower ribs and pubic bone.
   Energetically, Pilates exercises are sourced from here.
2. Concentration: If one brings ones full attention to the exercise, and does it with full commitment, maximum value will be obtained from each movement.
3. Control: Every Pilates exercise is done with complete muscular control and no body part is left to its own devices.
4. Precision: In Pilates exercise, 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 like a bellows and really using them to pump the air fully in and out of the body. Pilates 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 ones flow and concentration as they tend to bang around and suddenly become quite "machine like" if one loses ones control and flow.

These descriptions may all sound quite serious, but these principles account for the grace and ease that one can experience as a result of practicing Pilates. It is the integration of all of these principles that supports the balanced body conditioning that Pilates is known for.

Another point of view that certainly has merit in its own way comes from Pilates Educator, Michael Miller:
"Pilates principles are the fad issue these days, as though you could explain Pilates through a vague and randomly ordered focus on principles."

Pilates is so much more than concepts, but keeping these 6 principles in mind has been key to real progress for many Pilates students.