The core muscles are not just being ripped and doing Pilates is not trying to “strengthen” in isolation.
Your abs are a symphony between the deepest abdominal muscles, pelvic floor, diaphragm, and the tiny, deep stabilising muscles of the spine. These are muscles that are designed to anticipate the load that the spine will have placed on it rather than what the larger muscle groups (the 6 pack muscles, etc) that are more responsible for consciously “muscling out the movement.”
When the skeleton is aligned, then those core muscles have a chance at control…without artificially needing to say “squeeze”, “tuck,” or “tighten.” The core and Pilates are about control before moving on to more challenging exercises.
Pilates improves flexibility, it’s not just about stretching and lengthening the muscle that seems tense and shortened. When you lengthen the muscle while concurrently using the core stabilizers to help align the body and control the movement. This control is ultimately what allows for the sensation of flexibility.
That’s why we don’t just go into a position and hold a stretch, but rather, we encourage controlled movement.
The more any new skill is practiced, the better the results. Pilates is no different. Pilates relies on muscle, motor and cognitive memory, all of which rely on repetition.
One Pilates session per week is inadequate based on these recommendations alone, as are sessions that don’t adhere to a regularly recurring schedule. Once-a-week sessions pretty much force the body to start from scratch rather than allowing it to build on previous learned behaviours.
All Pilates aims is to correct detrimental motor behaviour by replacing “bad” movements with positive ones. Just as it took years to establish poor motor behaviour, it takes time for the body to automatically move in a way that is balanced, healthy and beneficial.
Once positive motor behaviour is instilled through motor learning and motor memory, it remains as the foundation for subsequent tasks and movements.
With enough repetition and practice, Pilates transfers to daily life. The key is repetition and practice.
When we repeat a behaviour, we retain the memory pattern and store it in long-term memory, where it can remain for a lifetime.
Enjoy your class!
