| Unless you've just crawled out from under a rock | | | | of your exercises as well as prevent injuries. |
| you'll have heard something, good or bad, about the | | | | Strengthening your powerhouse, also known as |
| famous Pilates system. Created by Joseph Pilates in | | | | centering, is considered the third principle of Pilates. It |
| the 1920's, this system of exercise focuses on | | | | is believed that all the energy for Pilates exercises |
| strengthening the core postural muscles to provide | | | | originates from the center and radiates outwards to |
| support for the spine and help keep the body | | | | the extremities. It is important to build your |
| balanced. More specifically, Pilates teaches the art of | | | | powerhouse, also known as the core, for |
| breathing correctly which creates self awareness in | | | | improvement not only in your exercises but in |
| the body. There are five principles of Pilates to help | | | | everyday life. |
| center the exerciser. | | | | Being able to focus your mind to pay specific and |
| First and foremost, breathing properly is the root of | | | | careful attention to your body is the next principle of |
| all Pilates exercises. By breathing deeply and correctly, | | | | Pilates. Not only does this increase the effectiveness |
| you can force blood to circulate more thoroughly | | | | of your exercises but it also strengthens your |
| throughout the body. Inhaling more deeply allows | | | | mind-muscle connections. You should be completely in |
| more oxygen to be transported to the muscles for | | | | tune with your body and able to understand what it |
| complete muscle fatigue which then whisks away the | | | | is telling you. |
| metabolic waste left after energy is expended. The | | | | Muscle control and precision is the final principle of |
| amount of self awareness that stems from learning | | | | Pilates. This educates you on how to move your |
| how to breathe properly is almost astounding as you | | | | body in a controlled and graceful way which lends to |
| will begin to feel each and every muscle throughout | | | | your everyday life. Using controlled movements |
| your body. | | | | decreases the risk of injury as well as slowing down |
| The second principle concerns the alignment of your | | | | your movements. |
| skeletal structure to not only prevent injury but to | | | | Pilates isn't just a form of exercise; it is also a way |
| get the most out of each and every exercise you | | | | of life. By lending the principles taught in Pilates to |
| perform. It takes some practice to get your body to | | | | normal life situations, you become more aware of |
| completely line up with each part respectively but will | | | | what your body is constantly doing and can this |
| have a significant impact on the technique and form | | | | make your life better. |