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Pilates: Principles, Concepts, Practice

Students new to Pilates find themselves working with principles that are not common within the usual workout formats that we've become accustomed to. Pilates, whether in rehab or as exercise, relies on these principles to provide a sequence of movement that both stretches and strengthens the body, leaving the practitioner with a feeling of being worked, but also energized and relaxed.

In Pilates training, the focus of attention remains on the parts of the body that are not moving, versus the parts that are. As a general and broad rule of thumb, the moving elements are simply working as weights or as counterbalances for the core muscles that are being trained to provide stability during movement. We are, in a sense, training from the inside out.

Length, breadth, depth and width are all terms that you don't normally hear within a workout format. Keeping a focus on creating these dimensions is key in maintaining proper form in doing these exercises.

Unlike other types of workouts, Pilates focuses on the quality of the movements as opposed to number of repetitions. Doing an exercise with good form is important in training the body to move appropriately and well, and form is never sacrificed for repetitions. In general, 6-8 reps is more common than the 10-12+ in traditional workouts.

Particularly in rehab, most patients demonstrate a great deal of tightness in certain muscle groups with opposing weakness in other muscle groups. As a rule, working on loosening tightness through stretching and flexibility training happens before focusing on strengthening the opposing muscle group. As the majority of Pilates exercises are balances to provide both stretching and strengthening, patients are able to gently work within their own limits.

Back in Action offers Pilates training as part of rehab and treatment when needed. Private sessions are also available for those of you who want to train further or learn more. Contact Alexis at 503-445-4936 for more details.