Pilates & Powerhouse
Joseph H. Pilates established the concept of powerhouse or energy centre as the motor of all the exercises that make up his method. From where the necessary force is generated to direct the movement towards the rest of the body.
It is often mistakenly associated exclusively with the musculature of the abdomen. But the powerhouse covers a wider area from the lower rib line to the lower hip line, as an active girdle. Here we find the musculature that surrounds the entire abdominal region up to the lumbar vertebrae, including that which encompasses the hips and pelvis with the pelvic floor as a base. This area is responsible for maintaining balance and posture for any action and movement.
When we move, even in anticipation of movement, the musculature of our body powerhouse is activated without being conscious, stabilising and keeping the body in balance to perform the required action. Later it is the superficial musculature that performs the complete movement. All Pilates exercises are performed around this energy centre. This force is responsible for initiating and controlling the movement of the body, also offering stability to other areas of the body which, depending on the exercise, need to be supported.
In this way, all the muscle chains are worked symmetrically, enhancing their functionality and ergonomics.
In the case of ailments or injuries to be rehabilitated - lumbar pain, cervical pain or any joint in the extremities - the work from the powerhouse provides tone to the deeper, more static musculature, stabilising the joints, taking pressure off and balancing the forces needed to improve the injured structure.
A clear example can be seen in the spine. By strengthening the deep musculature that joins and stabilises the vertebrae, it is possible to maintain a correct posture that allows muscle fatigue to be resisted, thus avoiding neck pain, back, or other joints. In addition, the strength of the powerhouse stabilises and protects the spine with respect to its intrinsic movements and the pelvis, creating a consistent strength that allows any movement of the limbs, both upper and lower, preventing gestures that may affect other structures.
With the Pilates method, the work on the energy centre allows for greater reactivity and better coordination of any movement.
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