As with anything in life, it is important to understand the fundamentals and the principles of why and how we do something. When you have this idea, it helps you to maximise the impact and enjoy it fully. When it comes to Pilates it’s no different. As part of the Pilates Week with Ganga Flow Wellness, we are looking at all things Pilates this week and these principles are a very important part of it. 

When I teach at the Ganga Flow Retreats or my classes at Talens Pilates, I always ensure that we focus on the below points. The starting point, your objective, is of utmost importance and the rest will come to you with practice, and with your teacher’s guidance.

• Clear objective: All of the below comes together to achieve your ultimate objective, which is why you have embarked on this journey with Pilates / or any other exercise for that matter. Set a clear and achievable objective before you start.
• Concentration: Focus on the task at hand and engage the mind-body connection.
• Control: Move with precision, control, and fluidity, maintaining stability and alignment throughout each exercise.
• Centering: Emphasis on the core muscles to support the spine and improve overall body alignment.
• Breath: Deep, diaphragmatic breathing to increase oxygenation, focus, and relaxation.
• Precision: Perform each movement with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Flow: Smooth transitions between movements, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity.
• Alignment: Proper alignment of the body to reduce strain on joints and muscles, and promote optimal movement patterns.

These principles are integrated into each Pilates exercise, and form the foundation for a safe, effective, and holistic approach to physical fitness. I will be organising a free beginner’s pilates class this weekend and you can sign up for it on the homepage. Otherwise, stay tuned for our online classes, other free classes, or the next retreats to come to try out Pilates.

I have been always fascinated by Pilates and how it can help your physical as well as mental well-being. I’ve now been teaching Pilates for more than 14 years.  How much of a change I can make in people’s lives and the positive impact I can have on them has kept me wanting to do more. Many of you may have tried Yoga and other exercises, but Pilates is one that most people have heard of, but not tried before. For example, many of our community from our wellness retreats have never tried it before until they did so with us on our retreats. So let’s look at what Pilates is and where it all started.

Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on strengthening the core muscles, improving flexibility, and enhancing overall body alignment and control through a series of controlled movements and breathing techniques. This is done with and without equipment to work various parts of these muscles. I personally love working with the Pilates Reformer the most. 

A Brief History

So where did it all begin? Pilates was developed by German-born Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. As a child, he suffered from asthma and various health problems, which led him to study various forms of exercise and develop his own system of physical fitness. He called his approach “Contrology” and began teaching it to dancers and athletes in Europe. In the 1920s, Pilates emigrated to the United States and opened a studio in New York City, where his method gained popularity among dancers and later, the general public. Today, Pilates is a widely practiced form of exercise with many variations and adaptations.

This week, we will be doing a lot of activities, sharing of information, and competitions to help you understand Pilates, get the most out of it, and also try it for free with Ganga Flow. In the next few articles, we will share a beginner’s guide to Pilates, its main benefits, and much more. If you have any questions, you can get in touch with me through the Ganga Flow Instagram account.