Is Everything Core, Pilates?
Friday August 29, 2008
A few nights ago I was prowling around the internet looking for good Pilates info (besides here!) when I came across links to "Pilates exercise" instructions for some exercises called "snatch and grab" and "the dolphin". Well, I've been around a bit, and I had never heard of either of those exercises. I know they are not part of the classical Pilates repertoire, and I haven't seem them in any videos or books either, so I thought I better take a look.
What I found were reasonably well-instructed exercises. Snatch and grab turned out to be something done on all fours that didn't resemble any Pilates exercise I know of, but it was legitimate core work, and the instructor was calling for good alignment and such. Same with the dolphin. This was a plank done on the forearms that morphed into an inverted V pose. It looked a lot more yoga than Pilates to me. But where's the line these days?
So that's the question I like to ask. How far from traditional Pilates is too far? After all, I'm comfortable modifying exercises, up and down; adding equipment that Joseph Pilates didn't develop, like the exercise ball and fitness bands; and knowing that lots of exercises that seem commonplace in Pilates today are not traditional. So why do I get uneasy when I see the proliferation of exercises out there that are being called Pilates but don't look familiar? I probably shouldn't.
I have the idea that all Pilates is core work but not all core work is Pilates. What makes the difference for me has a lot to do with whether or not I see the Pilates principles, movement fundamentals, and an overall emphasis on full body/being awareness happening. So I guess that's where I draw the line these days.
If You'll excuse me now, I have to go do the double-over, purple, half moon twist. Will it be Pilates? I'm not sure - something to ponder over a long weekend. Comments?
Related Links:
What I found were reasonably well-instructed exercises. Snatch and grab turned out to be something done on all fours that didn't resemble any Pilates exercise I know of, but it was legitimate core work, and the instructor was calling for good alignment and such. Same with the dolphin. This was a plank done on the forearms that morphed into an inverted V pose. It looked a lot more yoga than Pilates to me. But where's the line these days?
So that's the question I like to ask. How far from traditional Pilates is too far? After all, I'm comfortable modifying exercises, up and down; adding equipment that Joseph Pilates didn't develop, like the exercise ball and fitness bands; and knowing that lots of exercises that seem commonplace in Pilates today are not traditional. So why do I get uneasy when I see the proliferation of exercises out there that are being called Pilates but don't look familiar? I probably shouldn't.
I have the idea that all Pilates is core work but not all core work is Pilates. What makes the difference for me has a lot to do with whether or not I see the Pilates principles, movement fundamentals, and an overall emphasis on full body/being awareness happening. So I guess that's where I draw the line these days.
If You'll excuse me now, I have to go do the double-over, purple, half moon twist. Will it be Pilates? I'm not sure - something to ponder over a long weekend. Comments?
Related Links:
The Dolphin is indeed a yoga move. Downward-dog done on the forearms rather than wrists.