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Pilates key principles: Centre


In Pilates your Centre refers to the core of you body and the body's Centre of gravity. For anyone who may have forgotten what exactly makes up the core, please read Your core muscles are like a tin can.  When thinking about the body's Centre of gravity.  This is an imaginary point where the body's weight is equally balanced, and around this point the body may rotate freely.  As we are all individually built, our Centre of gravity is unique to us.  

You will find the the Centre of gravity for a man is slightly higher than for a woman.  Lets think about completing the perfect roll down:  Starting sat up, knees bent to ceiling, legs and feet hip width apart on the floor. You squeeze your core, roll your pubic bone towards the ceiling and your back pockets start to come closer to the mat.  You place your back pockets, then your waist band, each of your ribs and finally your shoulders and head onto the mat in a controlled sequence, keeping your head in line with you torso.  If your Centre of gravity is higher, (you may have very good muscle development in your arms and shoulders), you will be moving more weight, requiring a higher level of abdominal strength.  Remember lack of success in a particular move may have more to with body type rather than lack of strength. 

Finally it is important to remember that your Centre of gravity is dynamic (it moves around). Depending on your position your Centre of gravity will change.  

In Pilates we are building your Centre to assist you in your everyday life. Improving posture and safeguarding vulnerable places like your spine. 

Related articles:

Pilates key principles: Breathing 

Pilates key principles: Concentration


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