Why Integrity is so Important!

Integrity: 

According to the dictionary has several meanings:
1.  Adherence to moral and ethical principles;
2.  The state of being whole, entire or undiminished;
3.  A sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition

Why, might you ask, am I giving you a vocabulary lesson on the word, Integrity? 
Simple. Pilates is all about Integrity!

While Terms like scooping,  powerhouse, floating, lengthen, breath, and control are usually associated with
Pilates, the word integrity is not the first thing that comes to mind. As such, I would like to explain how and why integirty plays such an important role in the Pilates Method.

First, let's explore how the each of the definitions above apply to The Pilates Method:
1. Adherence to moral and ethical principles: 
Pilates focuses on the adherence to the six key principles of movement referenced by Jospeh Pilates, control, balance, concentraion, fluidity, precision and breath.  When all six principles are adhered to, the body works in its most efficient and effective state, thus reducing pain, injuries associated with overuse, and creates increase in strength, power, and flexibility.  In that sense, it is the integrity at which all these principles work together which make up foundation of The Pilates Method.

Furthermore, in order to correctly apply each of these six principles, the instruction of The Method, also must adhere to similar levels of integrity.  This is accomplished first through the quality of instructor's training through the marriage of these six principles and the application of anatomy, biomechanics and physics to each and every movement that takes place.  It is the adherence to these basic principles which make ensure the results from The Pilates Method.

2.  The state of being whole, entire, and undimished:
Further exploring these principles will lead you to recognizing that Pilates is about "wholism" and not reductionism.  Meaning, every movement that is performed incorporates equally the entire body as opposed to singling out one specific part or muscle.  As such, Pilates focuses on ensuring that only what is supposed ot move, actually moves, and keeping still (or stablizing) those muscles (or areas of the body) that are not supposed to move.  As a result, the Integrity of a movment occurs as long as the movers and stablizers are equally doing what they are supposed to be doing.  

3.  A sound, unimpaired and perfect condition:
Once the body is in balance, and only those muscles that are supposed to be moving, move; and those muscles that are supposed to stay still, do; then the body works in its most efficient state.  Once the body can function effeciently on that movement, the body then moves towards its "perfect" state.  Therefore the integrity of movement is one in which is pain and/or injury free, and more imporant creates that amazing posture,  increases muscle tone, increases power, strength, flexibility and performance.