Pilates Power Animal of the Month

In honor of the beginning of beach season, I nominate the starfish as the Pilates Power Animal of the month. Starfish are all about radiating from center, as are us Pilates people. In Pilates, we often refer to the strong, central core of our bodies from which we initiate and stabilize movement as the Pilates powerhouse.

Bring the starfish to mind next time you workout. See how the integrity of the powerhouse area allows for freedom of motion in your limbs, and how your energy can extend from your core. You can feel that with any Pilates exercise, but of the mat exercises, I think swimming, open leg balance, and double leg stretch make extending from the core very easy to feel.

Using animals for inspiration was something Joseph Pilates did, so we are following his lead by contemplating the form and energy of the animals around us. Last month, the Pilates power animal was the cat. If you would like to nominate a Pilates power animal, leave a comment below or write to me directly at pilates.guide@about.com.

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