When a new client has their first initial session with me, I always ask have you done any Pilates before, the answer, if yes, is usually, but I didn’t get on with it. When asked why they think that was, their response is I didn’t know or understand what I was doing.
With Pilates becoming increasingly popular and more commercialised, we are seeing larger class sizes and teachers who may not have been trained at reputable and recognized Pilates institutes. In this process we are losing the basic fundamentals of Pilates and the purity of the Pilates exercises. We all want to reach and perform the Instragramable positions, but without understanding the core fundamentals, which are the foundations to achieving the more challenging exercises, you may not be getting the full benefits, decide Pilates is not for you or end up injuring yourself.
From the outside looking in, Pilates exercises can almost be perceived as easy, but if performing the exercise correctly there are many elements that go into making that movement work. It a conscious way of moving and working specific muscle groups, building and working towards functional and efficient movement in everyday life and the ability to achieve the more challenging exercises as you progress your Pilates journey.
When training as a Pilates Instructor, the first thing we are taught are about the Key Elements of Pilates:
~ Alignment (Ribcage, shoulder blade and head/neck placement)
~ Breathing
~ Centering
It is about understanding your body, the mechanics behind movement and what we need to ask of it depending on what movement we require. We look at posture and alignment so that the muscles can work as they are designed to, possibly protecting you from injury or helping to improve general aches and pains. Breathing to help facilitate movement and release tension from the body. Centering to create a “Powerhouse” or strong center, which is a combination of strengthening and learning how to engage and connect with your abdominal muscles and pelvic floor to form an internal muscular corset providing support for the spine and pelvis.
Once I have taught these to a client, even if they are new to Pilates or have done some classes before, it is fantastic to see that “lightbulb” moment. Because having these fundamental tools and knowledge not only improves your Pilates knowledge and ensures you get the most out of the exercises but can also help benefit and translate into other forms of exercise and your day to day life.
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