“Contrology is designed to give you suppleness, natural grace, and skill that will be unmistakably reflected in the way you walk, in the way you play, and in the way you work…..Contrology is the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit,” Joseph Pilates, Return to Life
The original name for Pilates was Contrology. Joseph Pilates believed that optimal movement happens when you master the mind to gain complete control of the body. He designed the exercises to be a synergy of mind, body, and spirit so that we lead happier lives and have mental vigor, physical endurance, and spiritual enlightenment. Joseph and Clara Pilates migrated to New York from Germany in 1923 and opened a studio on 8th Avenue in NYC in the heart of the dance community. Here, Joe trained several of what is known today as the elders. Each of the elders came to Joe with different injuries. The diversity of their pathologies allowed each elder to bring a unique perspective to the method. After Joe died in October 1967 from smoke inhalation, Contrology came to be known as Pilates.
The original principles of Pilates included breathing, concentration, control, centering, precision, and flow. Joe believed that if we knew how to master breathing, we could minimize, even “ward off, fatigue”. Oxygen for the organs and muscles is critical to the quality of our movement. Concentration and mental focus are required to master the mind and contribute to one’s ability to be more self-aware. He emphasized the importance of focusing on form to facilitate the exercise correctly.
The next principle is control. The definition of control is to exercise restraint or to hold in check. Joe believed that one must be in control of one’s body and not at its mercy. “Contrology begins with mind control over muscles.” – Joseph Pilates, Return to Life. The Center is defined as the source of an influence, action, or force. Often, you will hear it said that our power and strength come from our center, our core. Precision was also emphasized in the method, as the exercises are very precise. The thought is that it was important to perform the exercises in a specific order, in a specific way daily. Classical Pilates employs “the order” and the idea that the movements must be facilitated in a specific order. Many instructors today follow the idea of “teaching the body in front of them” and not necessarily holding to a specific order, but giving the body the movement that it needs.
Each of the elders captured a unique approach to the Pilates method that can be experienced today as one experiences different instructors. Flow is where each movement flows gracefully from the previous one as you move through the choreography. Discipline was not explicitly stated as a core principle but is evident from reading Joe’s writings.
What can you expect from a Private Session or Class?
You should expect an instructor to ask how you are feeling both mentally and physically. Instructors will assess your posture, discuss any injuries or surgeries, and define a routine of movement based on your responses. Clients can experience several benefits when they consistently move through the Pilates method. This includes more flexibility, improved balance, increased strength, improved postural alignment, reduced back, knee, and hip pain, stress reduction, improved mental focus, and increased body awareness. Open-level classes will provide modifications to support you and your level of movement. Pilates is a low-impact movement modality that contributes to mind, body, and spirit. When practiced with consistency, results are amazing. You should always try to work with a certified instructor.
“I believe it is that unique combination of the mental focus and physical effort required to do a precisely choreographed exercise routine that draws millions of people in and keeps them coming back for more.” – Caged Lion, John Howard Steel