Control

Nothing about the Pilates Method is haphazard. The reason you need to concentrate so thoroughly is so you can be in control of every aspect of every moment. Not just the large motions of your limbs, but the positions of your fingers and toes, the degree of arch or flatness of your back, the rotation of your wrists, the turning in or out of your legs.

Most of our early experiences in school gyms have allowed us – in some cases, encouraged us – to fling ourselves around more or less indiscriminately. Think about doing a jumping jack, for instance, or the legs-spread toe-touching exercise sometimes called a windmill. What was there of grace or control in those, or in any other of the calisthenics you did?

This sloppiness carries over in our everyday life, and especially into recreational sports. It would be a lot easier for a golfer to keep his head down through his swing if he were not accustomed to letting it simply flop around every time he made a sweeping and largely uncontrolled motion of his arms and shoulders. And motion without control can lead to injury.

Our second watchword will be “control”

Suzanne Farrell has been principal dancer with the New York ballet and a guest soloist of worldwide renown. She is someone whose control of her body is as complete as anyone could want. Her ballet training and her talent give her the consummate skill that has made her reputation. But, like Jacques D’amboise and others we have mentioned, she build on a more fundamental foundation. She explains: “The Pilates Method teaches you to be in control of your body and not at its mercy”.

                                                     “Pilates method of physical and mental conditioning”©