Pilates exercises ask the body to fully and completely inhale oxygen into the lungs and to fully and completely empty the lungs on an exhale. This breath work ensures the maximum amount of oxygen gets to the blood, the muscles, the joints, the cells of the body, and the maximum amount of toxins are released.
Increased circulation
Spinal decompression of spine and joints
Through every Pilates exercise your spinal bones are asked to levitate off one another, to be more spacious, to leave room for spongy, healthy vertebral discs. Joints are opened and closed repeatedly increasing range of motion, blood flow and nutrient intake. Healthy joints and a healthy spine are critical to your happiness and physical well being.
Oppositional energy
Flowing natural movement
Precision and control
Using "Power House", or core
Visualization
Concentration and awareness
Balanced body, mind, spirit
Uniform Muscular Development
Use your WHOLE BODY with every exercise. Pilates does not break down movement into separate pieces (legs one day, arms the next). Each exercise engages each muscle group appropriately for unified development of all muscle groups. For example, when the legs are in motion the arms may be working to stabilize the movement. When the arms are in motion the legs may working to stabilize and support that movement. Other systems in the body are also being uniformly developed from the Circulatory System to the Respiratory System to the Digestive System.