Pilates Exercises for Structural Balance
As part of Functional Rehabilitation, Pilates Exercise addresses the underlying structural imbalances in the body that lead to chronic back pain.
Principles of Pilates
Pilates is an exercise method developed by Joseph Pilates who originally called his work ‘Contrology’.
Other instructors have distilled six principles that build the foundation of every movement in Pilates; as well as every standard must be present in each exercise throughout the entire workout.
Physically bringing the focus to the center of the body, therefore; the powerhouse area between the lower ribs and pubic bone.
Bringing full attention to the exercise as well as doing it with full commitment.
With the purpose in mind, doing every Pilates exercise with complete muscular control.
Sustaining awareness throughout each movement with the appropriate placement, alignment relative to other body parts, as well as trajectory for each part of the body.
Thinking of the lungs as a bellow, using them to strongly pump the air fully in and out of the body.
Of course, doing the exercise with fluidity, grace, and ease are goals, connecting the energy in all body parts.
To conclude, pilates equipment such as the reformer, are very good mirrors of one’s flow and concentration as they tend to bang around and suddenly become quite “machine-like” if one loses one control and flow.