“You can say what Pilates is in three words. Stretch with Strength and Control. And the control part is the most important because that makes you use your mind.” Romana Kryzanowska
Strength + Stretch = Control.
Stretch beyond your next workout. Examine the Strength of your convictions and marvel at the depth of the Pilates Method. What else is well within your Control? The answers may surprise you.
Strength
The common thought on the common matter: pure physical prowess.
Health. Power. Vigor. Stamina.
Okay, pretty straightforward, but how about another angle?
Resilience. Courage. Strength of character. Spirit.
And Joe Pilates would love a look at the super-serious nature of strength:
Skill. Supremacy. Puissance. Backbone. Guts!
The uncommon thought on the common matter: what else is in the realm of strength? Strength + Control =
Calm. Stillness. Composure.
Just a shout-out to all you strong, silent types.
As a new apprentice I remember watching one of my first teachers, Dianne Garrett, give a correction in mat class for the Side Kicks. Using her hands on the trunk of the student’s body to keep it still, Dianne was adamant about the position of the hip and firmly delivered her direction. She had a wonderful, enviable confidence.
Yeah. I want that.
Stretch
First and foremost:
Suppleness. Resilience. Bounce. Spring!
Now let’s go all humanity on it.
Latitude. Space. Freedom. Tolerance.
Adapt or perish. Move it or lose it. “IN wit the air and OUT wit the air!”
Kathy Grant stated that Pilates is “for the unexpected.” As an 84 year-old woman with decades of Pilates under her belt she was able to avoid serious injury after a fall on a New York City subway platform. It was her Pilates training that enabled her to “bend easily without breaking” and “adapt to different circumstances.”
Control
POWER!!
Okay, take it easy…
Command. Mastery. Direction.
Nerve Center. Composure. Cool.
Yeah…Pilates is cool…
Control Yourself!
Joe Pilates named his exercise method Contrology, or the study of control. Heed this word only and you can’t go wrong. Total Control shall be the fruit of your sweaty labors.
Information Central
The Pilates method gives us a wealth of information about our bodies. It is truly amazing what you can discover by simply paying attention. Pilates helps us control our physical lives and can often direct the future of our movements. We can retain our composure in the face of life’s upheavals and stay grounded in our central command post. Our bodies and minds deserve to be top of the list of controllable items!
Transitions
Transitions in Pilates can be challenging, intricate, vexing and the perfect moment for the body to want to poop out.
During the exercises
Have you found control or it’s shiny alter-ego, momentum? (ominous sound-effect here…)
Why does each moment matter so much? Control. But I want to whip my leg around in Single Leg Circles…Nope. Control. Contrology remember? You are in control at all times, not just during the exercises, but in the moments in between as well, linking each exercise seamlessly and efficiently to the next. You are in control not just at the beginning and end of your leg circle, but at every single point along the way. Even that hard part when your foot is really far away from you…why is it so far away if you are not in control? Who’s in charge here, you or your leg?
This is Pilates. You might have to use your stomach.
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“Blessed are the flexible for they shall not get bent out of shape.”
