Contrology

Breathing is one of the most important principles in Pilates.  But the Pilates breath is a different one: lateral breathing is an art I have yet to master.  You breathe out when you're exerting energy.  I find I need to exhale a lot.

Pilates is a fitness system that was developed in the early 20th century and gets its name from its pioneer, German-born Joseph Pilates.  There is a large following worldwide, especially in the US (where Pilates lived, developed and taught his method) and the UK.  

In his book 'Return to Life through Contrology', Joseph Pilates presents his method as the art of controlled movements, which should look and feel like a workout (not a therapy).  If practiced with consistency, Pilates improves flexibility, builds strength, develops control and endurance in the whole body.  These are my aims.  Pilates puts emphasis on alignment, breathing, and developing a strong powerhouse, whilst improving coordination and balance.  

  

Pilates develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit.  

In ten sessions you will feel the difference, in twenty you will see the difference, and in thirty you'll have a whole new body.

Joseph Pilates

In the unfortunate absence of a natural predisposition, my primary tools for this new project are proprioception, kinesthetic awareness, and persistence.