| The awareness of Pilates has grown along with its | | | | You have to be precise when establishing your core |
| acknowledged health and fitness benefits but it would | | | | spinal alignment, not only to benefit from the |
| be wrong to think that all the techniques are simple | | | | exercises but also to prevent the risk of injury. In |
| and gentle non impact exercises that will heal and | | | | addition to this, you have to ensure there is always a |
| strengthen the body. It does place a demand on the | | | | degree of control over how you undertake the |
| body and when learning how to do Pilates it is | | | | exercises. If movements are undertaken without |
| essential to know and understand the principles to | | | | control, they can become jerky which can lead to |
| ensure success. | | | | loss of alignment and the possibility of pain and |
| To enjoy the benefits that Pilates will bring, it is | | | | muscle injury. |
| essential to apply the seven secrets to success in | | | | Following on from control, by repeating correct |
| order that all the effort that you put in is not | | | | movement patterns this will reinforce good habits and |
| wasted. The first and most essential is to ensure | | | | will soon ensure that any exercise that is undertaken |
| that the spine is correctly aligned centrally in order to | | | | will benefit from a natural flow. Breathing also plays a |
| maintain a required static position. It is important to | | | | crucial part in the skill of undertaking the exercise |
| find and then adopt the proper alignment position for | | | | using precise control and flow. And how is all that |
| the spine as all the exercises require this for their | | | | achieved? It is through the requirement for |
| effectiveness. | | | | concentration where the brain is guiding the body |
| Secondly, it is vital that you become aware of your | | | | through the exercise often with the use of |
| breathing patterns when undertaking the exercise | | | | visualisation. By a combination of mind and body, you |
| techniques. It is important to practice both inhalation | | | | will be very pleased with your ability to undertake |
| and exhalation ensuring the lungs are filled fully to | | | | the whole range of Pilates exercise techniques. |
| allow the diaphragm to assist in stabilising the body | | | | Finally, the last key part of any Pilates program is to |
| trunk. By fully inhaling, this will expand the rib cage | | | | enjoy it. The exercises should never been seen as |
| and ensure the lifting of the upper abdominals | | | | just another fitness chore but as an effective |
| without moving the shoulders, an important factor | | | | method of utilising both body and mind to enjoy the |
| when trying to maintain correct spinal alignment. | | | | health and fitness benefits that it offers. Learning |
| It is important not to skimp on any instruction during | | | | how to do Pilates can be your key to unlocking and |
| an exercise. To achieve the success you want, the | | | | accessing the answers to finally achieve the health |
| exercises should not just be understood but also | | | | and fitness goals that you aspire to. |
| followed with as close to extact precision as possible. | | | | |