Pilates moves are smooth, flowing and continuous. You learn to move from deep within the body’s core muscles—the abdomen, lower back, hips and buttocks. Proper breathing instructions are part of all Pilates moves. One exercise flows into the next and they all work in harmony to create a balanced, highly effective workout. Pilates moves your body in a different way than other exercise methods. The result is a strong, lean, sculpted body along with improved posture and balance.

The emphasis is on controlled, precise moves in Pilates. Concentrate on your muscles as you move and avoid quick, jerky movements. All Pilates moves should be slow, but still strong and flexible. The routine consists of a large number of different exercises, each worked for only a few repetitions. Correct form and movement is one of the major principles of Pilates.

Pilates teaches to initiate all movement from the body’s core, or “powerhouse.” The “core” consists of the muscles of the abdomen, lower back, hips and buttocks. These muscles form the starting point for all Pilates moves. This soon becomes second nature to Pilates participants in their everyday lives.

Pilates combines the rhythm of your breathing with the movement of your body. Proper breathing instruction accompanies all Pilates exercises. Breathing is initiated deep within the core muscles of the body, engaging the lower abdominals and other core muscles.

The Pilates workout is designed to work the muscles in a certain order that is beneficial to the body as a whole. Appropriate transitions are used to help one exercise flow into the next. It is important to keep moving continuously in a smooth and controlled manner. The order of the exercises is designed to build strength and stamina while sculpting the body.

In the beginning, you’ll be concentrating on learning the correct Pilates moves, along with proper breathing techniques. These will soon become second nature and you’ll begin to reap the benefits of Pilates in all areas of your life.

About The Author

Sharon Sweeny is a creative copywriter, specializing in gardening and self sufficient, do-it-yourself lifestyles. She divides her free time among her garden in Minneapolis, alternately juggling half a dozen creative projects and blogging on gardening while pondering the exact location of Frostbite Falls, Minnesota.

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