Pilates: Exercise or Movement?

June 3, 2025

Does your Pilates program focus only on the exercises, or does it explore the finer points of movement? Is it just choreography, or does it truly encourage good movement that suits your unique body and needs? Is it a one-size-fits-all approach, or are there props and variations to help or reasonably challenge your movement?

Pilates has six key principles that should guide the teaching of movement and practice. The teaching should be tailored to each individual's understanding and promote movement through these principles. This method may not look like the full traditional Pilates repertoire, but with patience and consistency, your body can transform, allowing you to perform the exercises with more ease and flow. This change is founded on practicing the exercises and embracing the principles of Breathing, Concentration, Centering, Control, Precision, and Flow. Pilates is comprehensive and does not need to mimic other fitness formats to be effective.

Pilates is all encompassing movement and uniquely challenging on its own. So if you’re “not feeling” your abs or getting a “hard workout” then checking in with your alignment, your breathing, your ability to control and be precise in your movement, along with being present and focused will guide you to find what you’re looking for. Master practitioners have said that even the most fundamental Pilates movements can be challenging.

Pilates resembles a dance, capturing the fluidity of coordinated, strong, dynamic movement with controlled flexibility and mobility. Make it your goal to start the Pilates journey. It takes consistent practice, so make the commitment. Make the achievement of the full Pilates repertoire your ultimate goal, performed well, and reflecting the integration of the Pilates principles naturally.