{"id":46840,"date":"2022-10-21T23:57:59","date_gmt":"2022-10-21T23:57:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=46840"},"modified":"2026-06-08T14:15:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T14:15:22","slug":"6-pilates-principles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Pilates Principles You Must Know To Get Started"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#The_6_Pilates_Principles_at_a_Glance\" >The 6 Pilates Principles at a Glance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#Pilates_Principle_1_Breath\" >Pilates Principle 1: Breath<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#Why_Breath_Matters_in_Pilates\" >Why Breath Matters in Pilates<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#Pilates_Principle_2_Concentration\" >Pilates Principle 2: Concentration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#Pilates_Principle_3_Center\" >Pilates Principle 3: Center<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#Pilates_Principle_4_Control\" >Pilates Principle 4: Control<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#Pilates_Principle_5_Precision\" >Pilates Principle 5: Precision<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#Pilates_Principle_6_Flow\" >Pilates Principle 6: Flow<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#What_is_the_most_important_principle_in_Pilates\" >What is the most important principle in Pilates?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#What_are_the_5_basic_principles_of_Pilates\" >What are the 5 basic principles of Pilates?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#What_are_Joseph_Pilates_3_guiding_principles\" >What are Joseph Pilates\u2019 3 guiding principles?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#What_is_the_best_description_of_the_Pilates_principle_of_control\" >What is the best description of the Pilates principle of control?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#What_are_the_6_basic_principles_of_Pilates\" >What are the 6 basic principles of Pilates?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#What_is_the_difference_between_concentration_and_precision\" >What is the difference between concentration and precision?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#What_is_the_purpose_of_Pilates\" >What is the purpose of Pilates?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#Do_I_need_to_have_good_balance_to_do_Pilates\" >Do I need to have good balance to do Pilates?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#The_Bottom_Line\" >The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joseph Pilates was a man who was ahead of his time. He developed a system of exercises that emphasizes the mind-body connection decades before it became popular. His ideas are at the core of what makes Pilates a mindful movement practice that many people use for fitness and body awareness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2117&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=6_Pilates_Principles\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/PilatesOlesia.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, it wasn&#8217;t until the first modern book on Pilates was published that the six principles of the practice were codified. The book titled \u201cThe Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning\u201d, written by Philip Friedman and Gail Eisen in 1980, contained everything the two had learned from the disciples of Joseph Pilates himself (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/books\/OL4418456M\/The_Pilates_method_of_physical_and_mental_conditioning\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). In it, they explain the six principles of Pilates as breath, concentration, center, control, precision, and flow. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding these Pilates fundamentals is the key to mastering the practice. Whether you\u2019re new to beginner Pilates exercises or looking to deepen an existing practice, these Pilates movement principles apply to every level.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 6 Pilates principles are breath, concentration, center, control, precision, and flow. These foundational concepts guide how each movement is performed and are central to any Pilates practice.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_6_Pilates_Principles_at_a_Glance\"><\/span><b>The 6 Pilates Principles at a Glance<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wpsm-comptable-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<table id=\"wpsm-table-1218\" class=\"wpsm-comptable \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<thead class=\"wpsm-thead wpsm-thead-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<th>Principle<\/th>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<th>Focus<\/th>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<th>What it means in practice<\/th>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/thead>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tbody class=\"wpsm-tbody\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBreath\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDiaphragmatic breathing\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUsing deep, rhythmic breathing to initiate and support movement\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConcentration\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMind-body connection\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFocusing attention entirely on the specific muscles that are being worked\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCenter\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCore activation\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEngaging the deep abdominal muscles to support the back area\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tControl\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPurposeful movement\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMoving slowly and deliberately rather than relying on momentum\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrecision\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tForm and alignment\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPerforming exercises with exact technique to target the right muscles\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFlow\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFluidity\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTransitioning smoothly between movements with grace and ease\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tbody>\n\t\t\t\t<\/table>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pilates_Principle_1_Breath\"><\/span><b>Pilates Principle 1: Breath<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Pilates, breath is used to deepen the connection between the mind and body. The goal is to achieve rhythmic breathing that\u2019s smooth and even. This means exhaling fully and inhaling deeply into the belly, rather than shallow chest breathing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The breath is used to initiate each movement in a Pilates exercise. The exhale is generally used to engage the deep abdominal muscles and help support the back area. Inhaling is often used to release or lengthen the body. Breath is one of the features that distinguishes Pilates movements from other forms of exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Breath_Matters_in_Pilates\"><\/span><b>Why Breath Matters in Pilates<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breathing deeply has several benefits for the body, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reducing stress and tension:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Deep breathing is often used to support relaxation and a steadier movement rhythm (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10765252\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Supporting circulation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Deep breathing may support a calm, steady breathing rhythm and help the body use oxygen more efficiently during movement (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10765252\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Easing everyday tension:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Deep breathing is often used to help the body relax and make movement feel smoother (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8891889\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Supporting steady breathing during movement:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Deep breathing may help create a calmer, more controlled rhythm during Pilates. Some research has explored its relationship with heart rate and blood pressure markers, but individual responses can vary (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10765252\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><i>Read more: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/pilates-for-posture\/\"><i>Pilates For Posture: Potential Benefits and 7 Exercises to Try<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/two-photos-collage-1920x1200-8-2.png\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pilates_Principle_2_Concentration\"><\/span><b>Pilates Principle 2: Concentration<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Concentration is key in Pilates. All of your attention should be focused on the movement and the muscle group you\u2019re working. This helps to ensure that you\u2019re engaging the correct muscles and doing the exercises correctly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, a Pilates move will require you to swirl your legs in the air whilst keeping your pelvis still and your shoulders relaxed. In order to isolate the correct muscles and do the exercise with proper form, you must create a mind-body connection and concentrate on the movement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Concentration also helps support proper form, as you\u2019re less likely to make technique mistakes when you\u2019re focused on the movement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Available research on mindfulness has explored the benefits of focused attention in movement practices. Some notable benefits of mindfulness meditation, which requires a high level of concentration, include stress reduction, blood pressure management, and improved sleep quality (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10741869\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pilates_Principle_3_Center\"><\/span><b>Pilates Principle 3: Center<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The \u201ccenter\u201d refers to the deep abdominal muscles, known as the transverse abdominis (TVA). This muscle group comprises:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rectus abdominis, which runs down the front of the abdomen and works to flex the back area.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The internal and external obliques, which are located on the sides of the abdomen and work to rotate and side-bend the back area.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The transverse abdominis, which is a deep layer of muscle that runs horizontally across the abdomen and works to stabilize the back area.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The TVA is sometimes referred to as the \u201ccorset muscle\u201d as it acts like a corset, wrapping around the back area and waist to provide support.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pilates exercises are designed to target the TVA muscles and help strengthen and tone them. A strong TVA may support the back area and help maintain good posture (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10218154\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connecting with your center (also referred to as core activation) is essential in Pilates. All of the exercises are designed to engage and strengthen the deep abdominal muscles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A common misconception is that sucking in your stomach or bracing your abs is the same as activating your TVA. However, these are actually two different things.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sucking in your stomach can actually make it more difficult to engage your TVA, and bracing your abs puts unnecessary stress on the back area. Over recruitment of the abs can also inhibit the movement of the diaphragm, which can lead to shallow breathing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deep breathing is essential for engaging the TVA muscles. When you inhale, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward. This action puts pressure on the stomach and forces the TVA muscles to contract, which helps to engage and strengthen them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>BetterMe: Health Coaching app helps you achieve your body goals with ease and efficiency by helping to choose proper meal plans and effective workouts. Start using our app and you will <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2117&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=6_Pilates_Principles\">see good results in a short time.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/store.betterme.world\/collections\/jumpsuits?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=6_Pilates_Principles\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ready-4-7.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pilates_Principle_4_Control\"><\/span><b>Pilates Principle 4: Control<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joseph Pilates placed a strong emphasis on control. He believed quality to be more important than quantity when it came to exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pilates exercises are designed to be performed with control. This means moving slowly and with purpose, and using your muscles to control the movement rather than momentum.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Performing exercises with control helps to ensure that you\u2019re engaging the correct muscles and doing the exercises correctly. It also helps support proper form, as there\u2019s less chance of technique errors when you move slowly and with purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Periods of reduced activity or major lifestyle changes can make movement feel less familiar or less coordinated. Pilates may help you practice more controlled movement and build confidence gradually.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll learn efficient ways to move your body and how to use your muscles correctly. This may help you to move more easily and with less effort in your everyday life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One important aspect of control is that it goes beyond the physical\u2014it also refers to the mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to exercise control, you need to be able to focus your attention and be in the moment. This is where concentration comes in (refer to Pilates principle 2). Over time, your brain will learn to better control your body and the way it moves.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pilates_Principle_5_Precision\"><\/span><b>Pilates Principle 5: Precision<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Precision is another key principle of Pilates. It refers to performing the exercises with accurate form and alignment. This applies equally to basic Pilates moves and to more advanced Pilates stretches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you first start doing Pilates, it\u2019s important to learn the correct technique for each exercise. This means paying attention to your body position and alignment, and making sure that you\u2019re moving in the right way. Getting the basic Pilates positions right from the start makes it much easier to progress over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you become more familiar with the exercises, you\u2019ll be able to do them with more precision. This means that you\u2019ll be able to target the correct muscles and get the most out of each exercise. You\u2019ll also be able to break bad habits and start to move more efficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Stock-image-2.png\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pilates_Principle_6_Flow\"><\/span><b>Pilates Principle 6: Flow<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ultimate goal of Pilates is to move with ease and fluidity. This principle is known as flow.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you first start doing Pilates, the exercises may feel a bit awkward and uncoordinated, but that\u2019s totally normal! It takes time to learn the correct technique and to develop the muscle strength and memory needed to perform the exercises smoothly. This is particularly true for basic Pilates exercises for beginners, where building strength and muscle memory are the primary goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flow is the result of practicing the exercises regularly and becoming more familiar with them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you start to move with more ease, you\u2019ll find that the exercises become more enjoyable and less like work. You may even start to feel like you\u2019re dancing rather than exercising! Given that many of Joseph Pilates\u2019 early clients were ballet dancers, this is no coincidence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developing flow translates into everyday life as well. You\u2019ll find that you move with more grace and ease, and that activities that once felt like a struggle (carrying groceries, climbing stairs, etc.) become much easier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Read more: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-is-pilates-workout\/\"><i>What Is Pilates Workout?<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/store.betterme.world\/products\/essential-kit?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=6_Pilates_Principles\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/two-photos-collage-1920x1200-14.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><b>Frequently Asked Questions<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_most_important_principle_in_Pilates\"><\/span><strong>What is the most important principle in Pilates?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breath is considered to be the most important principle in Pilates. Joseph Pilates stressed the importance of breath throughout the exercises and believed that it was the key to unlocking the full benefits of the practice. While all six principles work together, breath underpins every movement and makes the other principles possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_5_basic_principles_of_Pilates\"><\/span><strong>What are the 5 basic principles of Pilates?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some Pilates traditions identify 5 core principles: breath, concentration, centering, control, and precision. Flow is sometimes listed as a 6th principle. Regardless of the exact count, all traditions agree that mindful, controlled, breath-led movement is at the foundation of the practice.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_Joseph_Pilates_3_guiding_principles\"><\/span><strong>What are Joseph Pilates\u2019 3 guiding principles?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joseph Pilates based his work on 3 guiding principles: breath, whole-body awareness, and whole-body commitment. He believed in the importance of using breath to control movement and that Pilates should be used to improve overall function and everyday movement, not just physical fitness.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_best_description_of_the_Pilates_principle_of_control\"><\/span><strong>What is the best description of the Pilates principle of control?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Control is the ability to move your body in a coordinated and deliberate manner. This requires focus, concentration, and precision. Pilates can help you develop better control over your body and the way it moves, which may translate into more efficient everyday movement.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_6_basic_principles_of_Pilates\"><\/span><strong>What are the 6 basic principles of Pilates?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The six principles of Pilates are: breath, concentration, center, control, precision, and flow. These principles are all necessary in order to get the most out of your Pilates practice.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_concentration_and_precision\"><\/span><strong>What is the difference between concentration and precision?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Concentration refers to the ability to focus your attention and be in the moment. Precision refers to performing the exercises with accurate form and alignment.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_purpose_of_Pilates\"><\/span><strong>What is the purpose of Pilates?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joseph Pilates designed his system of exercises to improve overall function and everyday movement. Today, Pilates is often used as a way to improve physical fitness, flexibility, and strength. However, the ultimate goal of Pilates is to move with ease and fluidity (flow).<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_I_need_to_have_good_balance_to_do_Pilates\"><\/span><strong>Do I need to have good balance to do Pilates?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While balance is helpful, it isn\u2019t essential. There are many modifications that can be made to exercises to make them easier or more challenging, depending on your level of balance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2117&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=6_Pilates_Principles\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/PilatesOlesia1.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bottom_Line\"><\/span><strong>The Bottom Line<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pilates is a system of exercises that\u2019s based on 6 principles: breath, concentration, center, control, precision, and flow. These principles are all important in order to get the most out of your Pilates practice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breath is considered to be the most important principle, as it is the key to unlocking the full benefits of the practice. Mastering the Pilates basics can help you build a strong foundation for your fitness journey. From basic Pilates moves to more advanced Pilates stretches, these six principles remain the foundation of every session.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Joseph Pilates was a man who was ahead of his time. He developed a system of exercises that emphasizes the mind-body connection decades before it became popular. His ideas are at the core of what makes Pilates a mindful movement practice that many people use for fitness and body awareness. That being said, it wasn&#8217;t [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":92287,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[201],"tags":[],"coauthors":[45],"class_list":["post-46840","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pilates"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>6 Pilates Principles You Must Know To Get Started - BetterMe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The \u2605 6 PILATES PRINCIPLES \u27a4 are breath, concentration, center, control, precision, and flow. 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Breath is considered to be the most important principle, as it is the key to unlocking the full benefits.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"#\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-08T14:15:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/1327-6-pilates-principles.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"BetterMe\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"BetterMe\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/6-pilates-principles\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/6-pilates-principles\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ca5365b9bb6a9ec0655ee7bb63cbbc13\"},\"headline\":\"6 Pilates Principles You Must Know To Get Started\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-08T14:15:22+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/6-pilates-principles\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1582,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/6-pilates-principles\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/1327-6-pilates-principles.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Pilates\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Joseph Pilates was a man who was ahead of his time. He developed a system of exercises that emphasizes the mind-body connection decades before it became popular. His ideas are at the core of what makes Pilates a mindful movement practice that many people use for fitness and body awareness.<\\\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span data-sheets-root=\\\"1\\\"><\\\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">That being said, it wasn't until the first modern book on Pilates was published that the six principles of the practice were codified. The book titled \u201cThe Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning\u201d, written by Philip Friedman and Gail Eisen in 1980, contained everything the two had learned from the disciples of Joseph Pilates himself (<\\\/span><a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/openlibrary.org\\\/books\\\/OL4418456M\\\/The_Pilates_method_of_physical_and_mental_conditioning\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">1<\\\/span><\\\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">). In it, they explain the six principles of Pilates as breath, concentration, center, control, precision, and flow. <\\\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Understanding these Pilates fundamentals is the key to mastering the practice. Whether you\u2019re new to beginner Pilates exercises or looking to deepen an existing practice, these Pilates movement principles apply to every level.<\\\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The 6 Pilates principles are breath, concentration, center, control, precision, and flow. These foundational concepts guide how each movement is performed and are central to any Pilates practice.<\\\/span><\\\/i>\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><b>The 6 Pilates Principles at a Glance<\\\/b><\\\/h2>\\r\\n\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><b>Pilates Principle 1: Breath<\\\/b><\\\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">In Pilates, breath is used to deepen the connection between the mind and body. The goal is to achieve rhythmic breathing that\u2019s smooth and even. 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Breath is considered to be the most important principle, as it is the key to unlocking the full benefits.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"6 Pilates Principles You Must Know To Get Started","og_description":"The \u2605 6 PILATES PRINCIPLES \u27a4 are breath, concentration, center, control, precision, and flow. Breath is considered to be the most important principle, as it is the key to unlocking the full benefits.","og_url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/","og_site_name":"BetterMe Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","article_author":"#","article_modified_time":"2026-06-08T14:15:22+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1200,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/1327-6-pilates-principles.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"BetterMe","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@betterme","twitter_site":"@betterme","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"BetterMe","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/"},"author":{"name":"BetterMe","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/ca5365b9bb6a9ec0655ee7bb63cbbc13"},"headline":"6 Pilates Principles You Must Know To Get Started","dateModified":"2026-06-08T14:15:22+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/"},"wordCount":1582,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/1327-6-pilates-principles.jpg","articleSection":["Pilates"],"inLanguage":"en-US","articleBody":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joseph Pilates was a man who was ahead of his time. He developed a system of exercises that emphasizes the mind-body connection decades before it became popular. His ideas are at the core of what makes Pilates a mindful movement practice that many people use for fitness and body awareness.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, it wasn't until the first modern book on Pilates was published that the six principles of the practice were codified. The book titled \u201cThe Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning\u201d, written by Philip Friedman and Gail Eisen in 1980, contained everything the two had learned from the disciples of Joseph Pilates himself (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/books\/OL4418456M\/The_Pilates_method_of_physical_and_mental_conditioning\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). In it, they explain the six principles of Pilates as breath, concentration, center, control, precision, and flow. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding these Pilates fundamentals is the key to mastering the practice. Whether you\u2019re new to beginner Pilates exercises or looking to deepen an existing practice, these Pilates movement principles apply to every level.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 6 Pilates principles are breath, concentration, center, control, precision, and flow. These foundational concepts guide how each movement is performed and are central to any Pilates practice.<\/span><\/i>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>The 6 Pilates Principles at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Pilates Principle 1: Breath<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Pilates, breath is used to deepen the connection between the mind and body. The goal is to achieve rhythmic breathing that\u2019s smooth and even. This means exhaling fully and inhaling deeply into the belly, rather than shall ..."},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/","url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/","name":"6 Pilates Principles You Must Know To Get Started - BetterMe","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/1327-6-pilates-principles.jpg","dateModified":"2026-06-08T14:15:22+00:00","description":"The \u2605 6 PILATES PRINCIPLES \u27a4 are breath, concentration, center, control, precision, and flow. 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