At Butterfly Pilates, we have developed an easy way to remember the 5 Pilates Principles:

A is for alignment and articulation

B is for breathing

C is for core

D is for disassociation

E is for elongation

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Alignment refers to posture and how you hold your body. Proper alignment from a stable center enables fluid and graceful movement and improves overall mobility.

Articulation deals with the movement of each vertebra within the spine. By articulating the spine, small muscles are engaged providing extra support for the spine and increasing flexibility along the length of the spine.

Breathing refers to intercostal breathing, i.e. rib cage breathing. Pilates movements are coordinated with breathing. This means that when you inhale, the rib cage expands, improving upper body posture and lung capacity. Exhaling, the ribs contract, engaging deep abdominal muscles to provide spinal stability and low back protection.

Core refers to the deep intrinsic muscles that support the spine. These include the abdominal muscles, with a focus on the lower abs. Doing Pilates exercises are one of the best ways to strengthen your core.

Disassociation refers to being able to move one part of the body while holding the rest of the body stable. The ability to disassociate, balancing stability and mobility, comes from increasing body awareness and control. This allows the body to function more efficiently and reduces the amount of energy needed for movement.

Elongation refers to the lengthening of the major muscle groups with a focus on the spine.