What is Pilates?
- Fera Smith
- Mar 18
- 2 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
Pilates is a system of movement designed to obtain ‘the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.’ Originally labeled ‘Contrology’ by the founder, Joseph H. Pilates, the system of Pilates ‘develops the body uniformly, corrects the wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit.’ (Quotes from Return to Life, by J.H. Pilates)
What does that mean, 100 years later?
Pilates now is considered a generic term and as such, has no regulation on what is called Pilates. This means that a large group equipment class with 30 people with no exercises resembling the original work can be called Pilates. Alternatively, for those who trained with Pilates himself or with his teachers, we still believe in the methodology created by Joseph Pilates.
So what is the Methodology of Pilates?
Pilates is a system of specifically formulated series of intentional movements, not random exercises, designed to improve the body over time when repeated regularly and with discipline to uniformly develop the body, improve posture, expand breathing, and correct imbalances due to injury or poor habit.
An intentional approach to movement allows the mind to focus on how the body is moving within the movement, not just the choreography. The focus of Pilates is not the exercises, or making up new ones, it is improving the movement within exercises.
Consciously improving each movement allows the practitioner to correct imbalances within the body. By working the entire body the root of imbalances is corrected, not just the resulting weakness or obvious imbalance.
Each and every exercise in Pilates is designed to use the entire body within the movement, ensuring complete participation of the mind and the body, guided by principles to help ensure success: Concentration, Centering, Control, Breathing, Precision and Flow.
And what about the Apparatus?
The system of Pilates also incorporates several apparatus in order to support the engagement of the mind by providing external feedback and supporting the body to find balance. Each movement on each apparatus was designed in coordination with the apparatus. Joseph Pilates developed several hundred exercises incorporating over a dozen apparatus, all with specific intentions and goals in balancing the mind and body.
What are the Benefits of the Pilates System?
Pilates offers numerous physical and mental health benefits, including:
Improved strength and stability
Enhanced flexibility and mobility
Better posture and alignment
Increased body awareness and coordination
Reduced stress and enhanced mental focus
Injury prevention and rehabilitation support
Is Pilates Strength Training?
While Pilates apparatus can be considered light weight resistance, unlike weights the goal of apparatus is not to load the body but rather to support the body in order to correct the movement within the exercises.
Joseph Pilates developed hundreds of exercises across multiple apparatus, each with specific intentions and goals to create a well-balanced system that benefits all body types.
Why is Pilates different from exercise classes?
The system of Pilates is a comprehensive, intelligent, and diverse approach to moving well beyond isolated movements, unique enough to apply to each and every body. When using discipline to apply the principles of the system, connecting the mind to the body, and striving to master the large library of exercises and apparatus, Pilates is a very effective movement system to balance the mind, body, and soul.
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