Classical Pilates for Modern Life

Shining light on Pilates truths, honoring Joseph Pilates,

and supporting you in your Pilates journey. 

                                Now that I convinced you :)

Of the abundant benefits of Pilates and the need for you to regularly practice it, let's discuss how to start. Based on my 25 years of teaching experience, I recommend that the best way to begin is with the basics.

This might seem like an obvious statement, but in the case of Pilates, there is one more layer of skill and information you must understand and be proficient at before your Pilates knowhow kicks in, before the beginner-level exercises start feeling familiar and make sense to your body and to your mind. 

The classical Pilates method is a system. It has philosophy, principles, and fundamental concepts. There are the fundamental concepts that you must get to know first. Specifically, first, you must experience and understand how YOUR body moves. How YOUR body responds when challenged to perform a precise movement such as pelvic rocking, knee folds, or arm circles. Otherwise, how can you ever correctly and safely perform this elaborate choreography that the Pilates method is known for?

The mini-exercises are the starting point you need. Simple choreography performed with precision to create correct but fluid movements are the building blocks of all classical Pilates exercises.

For example: If you cannot keep your pelvis still while moving your legs, sooner or later you will suffer from lower back pain or tightness. But if you stabilize the lower back while moving the legs, you will build core strength and save your lower back from repetitive motion injury.

Similarly, if you learn how to stabilize your ribcage and shoulders while moving the arms you will spare yourself a shoulder or neck injury.

That’s the value of learning, understanding, and practicing the mini-exercises.

First, learn to control YOUR body in motion. Second, learn how to breathe. Third, learn how to move and breathe simultaneously.