In order to achieve control over your body, you must apply mindful concentration to the task. Wandering minds produce sloppy movements. Focus the mind to the task at hand.
As a beginner in the Pilates method, you must first learn the technique of each exercise – the minimal instructions to perform the movement. Concentrate, and ensure that the body is actually doing what the instructions require – nothing more, nothing less.
Then, apply these six principles to the movement. Finally, once you are practicing the movement with confidence, add the additional cues that follow the technique of each exercise.
Applying concentration to every element of the exercise is harder than it seems.
If you let the mind slip, it may not affect an obvious technique, but did you forget to breathe or initiate the movement from your center?
Mindful attention to every detail transforms the workout to a true “mind to body” experience.
