Why Concentration Matters in Pilates
Updated: Aug 30
Have you ever driven somewhere familiar and realised you barely remember the drive?
Or read a page of a book, reached the bottom and realised you didn’t take any of it in?
Sometimes we can do things on autopilot. Movement can be the same. Pilates encourages you to slow down and notice how you move.
Your Body Can Move on Autopilot
Our bodies are very good at finding the easiest way to complete a task.
That can be useful in everyday life, but in Pilates, the goal isn’t simply to get from the beginning of an exercise to the end. It’s to notice what happens in between.
Where is your weight?
Are your shoulders relaxed?
Are you holding your breath?
Can you control the movement instead of relying on momentum?
These small details are part of what turns an exercise into a Pilates practice.
Why Concentration Deserves More Thought
Concentration is one of the principles that sits at the foundation of the Pilates method.
It works alongside breath, control, precision, centring and flow. The idea is simple: where your attention goes matters.
When you concentrate on a movement, you become more aware of how your body is performing it. You might notice that one side feels different from the other. You might realise you're gripping somewhere you don't need to. Or a cue from your instructor might suddenly make an exercise feel completely different. That awareness gives you an opportunity to adjust.
And that is where learning happens.
There Is a Lot to Think About at First
If you're new to Pilates, concentrating on everything at once can feel like a lot.
Your instructor might be asking you to think about your feet while you're trying to remember what your arms are doing.
Then comes your breathing.
Then your posture.
Then the carriage starts moving.
It can feel like your brain is getting as much of a workout as your body. That's normal.
Just like learning any new skill, the things that require a lot of thought in the beginning gradually become more familiar with practice. You don't need to get everything right at once.
You just need to keep learning.
Your Instructor Gives You Something to Focus On
This is also why cueing matters so much in Pilates.
A good cue isn't there just to tell you what exercise comes next. It gives your attention somewhere useful to go.
Sometimes that might be your breathing.
Sometimes it might be slowing down.
Sometimes it could be adjusting your alignment or noticing where you're initiating the movement from.
The exercise may look exactly the same from the outside, but one small cue can completely change what you experience.
Concentration Builds Better Movement
The more familiar you become with Pilates, the more you begin to notice for yourself.
You stop simply following the person beside you.
You start recognising how your own body moves.
You notice when something feels different.
You make small adjustments.
You become more intentional.
This is one of the reasons Pilates is something you continue to practise rather than something you simply learn once.
There is always another layer to discover.
Why We Teach Pilates This Way
At One Percent Pilates, we want you to understand what you're doing, not just follow along.
Our small Reformer and Mat Pilates classes give instructors the opportunity to observe how you're moving, provide clear cues and help you make adjustments throughout class. Sometimes the change is big. Often, it's something small.
A foot moved slightly.
A shoulder relaxed.
A slower repetition.
A better breath.
But those small changes add up. It's part of our belief that progress comes from moving with greater awareness, one percent at a time.
Start Pilates in Fairfield
If you're looking for Pilates in Fairfield, our Reformer and Mat Pilates classes are designed to help you build strength, control and confidence through clear, attentive instruction.
If you'd like to understand another part of the Pilates method, explore why breathing is more than just breathing in Pilates, or discover why one good repetition is better than ten rushed ones.
If you're completely new to Pilates, our first class guide walks you through what to expect before you arrive.
View our schedule or explore membership options to get started.
