Imagery for your Pilates practice.
You’ve probably noticed your Pilates instructor throwing around imagery at some point during your classes. But why?
There are actually a plethora of studies demonstrating the benefits of imagery for movement. It seems that imagery can enhance movement performance as well as making it easier to learn new movements. Imagery can also be used to improve posture, spatial awareness, and control of movement.
There are many types of imagery and visualisations that can be used, and it’s worth listening to what works for you. Do you respond well to specific visualisations and images (move your shoulder blade as though it’s a feathered wing), or do you respond to more general body awareness (move as though you’re made of sunlight)?
Let’s try a little visualisation/imagery exercise in sitting, to see how your body responds:
Feel the crown of your head floating towards the ceiling, as though suspended by a balloon.
Imagine your pelvis is suspended on a tray of marbles, allowing it to move in any and every direction.
With each breath, feel the space between each vertebra open.
Hang your knees, thighs, and shoulder from the ceiling, as though you are a marionette.
Allow your body to take up as much space as it can.
What did you feel? How did each image change your experience? Which did you prefer?
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