Principles of Pilates: Precision

We’ve made it through the first five of the principles of Pilates, finally bringing us to precision. In Pilates, precision is the art of being exact in your movements. To do that, you need to incorporate all of the other principles: control, breath, concentration, centering (in your mind and body), and flow so that your movement isn’t choppy or robotic. Overwhelmed? Don’t be. I’m here to help! 

If You’re New To Pilates

Like all six of the principles of Pilates, precision will come with time and practice. As a Pilates teacher, I first want to ensure my clients are moving with safety in mind. We do talk about breath and control in the beginning, but I don’t want them to stress about it. Safety first, then learning the exercises, and then we start layering in the different principles. 

When you first start Pilates, there are so many things to think about that it’s hard to remember every little thing the instructor is teaching you. That, along with individual strengths and weaknesses, means precise movement will come at different stages for each person. And that’s 100% okay. 

Types of Pilates Newbies

In my 20 years of teaching, I’ve noticed how differently certain people perform in their first few Pilates classes. (No judgement!)

1. They are new to exercise or returning from a long break, so they find a lot of the exercises difficult right away. Lifting and curling up from the mat or holding their legs up is very hard. 
2. On the other hand, I also get people who are super strong and fit, and “power through” the exercises. They kind of make it look like they’re doing the exercise, but in fact are missing the precision and connections Pilates demands. Giving them simpler regressions to learn these things can make the exercise harder for them.
3. Some people, like dancers, show up with a lot of body awareness and pick up on precision very quickly. 
4. Then we have the “fast movers” who may use momentum to whip through the exercises. They need to tap into their control to find precision. 

With Practice Comes Precision

As all of the principles start to come together, the teacher starts to see where the client can work more, and can slowly layer on more depth with each of the principles. It’s then that the students’ Pilates will start to look effortless, smooth, connected, and controlled. On the student’s end of things, the workout becomes much more of a workout, too.