Let’s slow things down for a minute.
No, really—slow it down, slow is flow…
Flow, one of the guiding principles of Pilates, is often misunderstood as something quick or seamless. But flow isn’t about speed—it’s about staying connected. Flow is what happens when movement is intentional, when transitions are smooth because they’re rooted in control, breath, and awareness.
As a teacher (and a lifelong student of this method), I see this often: we set up beautifully. The core is engaged. The spine is long. Everything is aligned. And then—boom—we start to move, and the connection disappears. The limbs go on a journey of their own, and the mind follows them out the door.
It’s not about doing it perfectly. I’m not here to help you “nail the move.” I’m here to guide you toward lasting change in your body—change that comes from focused, embodied work, not just a sweat session. Because honestly? You can get a workout anywhere. But Pilates asks something more of you. Pilates asks you to think.
Remember the 5 Parts of the Mind blog?(If not, give it a read—it’s a great companion to this conversation.) Between that and the classical principles—concentration, centering, control, precision, flow, and breath—there’s a lot to keep in mind. But it all comes together in the work, especially when we slow down enough to let it.
Lately in the studio, we’ve been diving deep into an old favorite: Coordination.
Coordination is a classical Pilates exercise, most commonly seen on the Reformer, but it can be translated to the Cadillac or even the mat. At first glance, it seems simple. You’re just coordinating your breath with the movement of your arms and legs. But—surprise!—this one’s a sneaky little powerhouse.
There are four distinct parts to the exercise, but let’s be honest: the setup makes or breaks the whole thing. Without a mindful setup, you’re just flailing and calling it Pilates (we’ve all been there).
And believe me, I get it—I’ve been really good at being bad before. But there’s no prize for doing something poorly on repeat. So let’s bring our minds and our bodies to the table. Let’s do it well, even if it’s slow. Especially if it’s slow.
Let’s give Coordination the spotlight it deserves.
To be continued……
