Six Principles of Pilates (part 6)

The 6th Principle of Pilates is Breath. When doing Pilates you want to "move as you breathe and breathe as you move". Our goal is to have our Breath match our movement. Your Breath should start and stop each movement. This way we connect to (or stabilize) our "core" with our Breath before we move our arms and legs.

Joe use to say "Above all else learn to Breathe correctly". Now my interpretation of that is to inhale as deeply as you can and exhale as deeply as you can.

I like to teach a Breathing technique called "fog the mirror". So when you exhale you open your mouth, soften the back of your throat and exhale almost like you're sighing. As you're exhaling you're going to pull your navel toward your spine to connect to your core. Just by exhaling like you're fogging a mirror you can start to work your core muscles. This is also a great way to relieve stress.

So you inhale into your chest so it rises side to side and front to back. Then start to exhale and try to release the stress around your ears, sides of your neck and back of your throat. It may take a couple of times to get the hang of it but its well worth the practice.

So let's recap all 6 Principles of Pilates. In a Pilates Reformer class the first thing you want to do is Center yourself on the Reformer. Then take a couple of deep breaths to start to Center your mind on your body. So as we move on the Reformer we Concentrate on the Control we have over the Center line of our body as we move through different planes of motion with Precision and Flow as we Breathe!

Once a Pilates student understands the importance of Breathing as they move then their Pilates sessions go to another level. They literally connect their Mind to their Body with their Spirit (Breath) as they move.

Pilates can have an extremely powerful affect on one's outlook on life because as Joe use to say, "Fitness is the first requisite to Happiness".

I hoped you enjoyed my take on the Six Principles of Pilates.

For more information on Pilates in Jonesboro, Arkansas just visit my
website at http://www.jonesboropilates.com