Enhancing Pilates Focus: Mental Methods for More Effective Practice

Pilates differs from other forms of exercise in that it demands a high degree of concentration to do the movements correctly. Three of the Six Principles of Pilates are centring, control, and concentration; these principles support a whole-body, holistic approach to exercise. For better overall strength, posture, and alignment, you can enhance proprioception and strengthen both your primary movement muscles and stabilising muscles by incorporating focus into your Pilates practice.

1. Inhaling

A fundamental component of all Pilates exercises is breathwork. In addition to the physical benefits of practicing healthy breathing techniques (lower stress, improved circulation, higher cellular energy), the mind-body connection can be enhanced by developing calmness and clarity during the breathwork process. This is particularly true if you pay attention to your breathing during your Pilates practice and coordinate your breathing with your movements to get the most out of every pose. Lateral breathing is a special type of breathwork that we frequently emphasise in Pilates. In order to knit your ribs back together, lateral breathing entails inhaling into the back and sides of your ribcage, stretching outward, and then exhaling. Lateral breathing can help to improve posture, balance, and stability when combined with an exercise program. It also improves the transport of oxygen to the muscles. This kind of deliberate breathing can also aid in improving flexibility and releasing tense muscles! There are advantages to doing this kind of breathwork in the studio that extend beyond Pilates.

2. Illustration

Pilates places more emphasis on movement precision than just getting a workout done quickly. It was described as "a thinking way of movement" by Joseph Pilates. It takes focus to do this. Being conscious of every moving component of the body at once is a difficult task. Pilates is a skill that gets better with practice. Concentration is aided by the ability to genuinely feel every bodily part functioning. Visualisation is a potent technique in Pilates that can assist you in reaching your objectives. Like mental rehearsal, it entails visualising what success looks like in a given endeavour. You may do it anytime, anywhere, and it can help you become more self-assured, focused, and energised. It can also lessen discomfort and stress. It may be applied to every aspect of your life and is a powerful means of making positive changes.

3. Willingness

Whether your objective is to reduce stress, build muscle, or increase flexibility, making plans helps you get there. It supports you in developing a strong mind-body connection and pushes you to be totally present in your practice. Pilates requires intention, particularly in large sessions when teachers are unable to provide each student with the one-on-one attention they need. It guarantees that the student's muscles are being worked appropriately and helps them to complete each exercise with proper form. This encourages improved muscular activation and lowers the chance of injury. Another essential Pilates concept is control. This entails precise exercise execution as well as appropriate body alignment and placement. Although doing this might not come easily at first, with perseverance and patience, it will soon become second nature. By putting these ideas into practice, you'll succeed more in life and in your Pilates sessions. The creator of Pilates called his method a "way of thinking about movement." This implies that your practice involves a significant amount of mental activity, both conscious and subconscious.

4. Calm Down

Pilates encourages the deliberate regulation of breathing and movement to enhance posture, align the body, and engage the muscles that provide local stabilisation. Additionally, this kind of awareness can help lessen typical ailments including knee, shoulder, hip, and back issues. By fostering attentive awareness and control over each movement, concentration helps people avoid the inclination to hurriedly complete exercises or do them improperly. According to the principle of concentration, performing every exercise precisely guarantees that you get the most physical benefit from the activity. Controlled, deep diaphragmatic breathing improves body awareness, strengthens the core, and encourages relaxation. Pilates movements also support a balanced flow of energy throughout the body and the application of "controlled tension" in the muscles to build strength. As they advance in their practice, participants discover how to intentionally incorporate this focus and concentration principle into their everyday life. They can now achieve greater serenity and balance even when they're not in the studio.