Pilates Technique Thursday: The Art of Preparations & Transitions

Pilates students prepare with focus and control before movement begins, embodying mindful transitions.

When we talk about technique in Pilates we often focus on how a movement is performed. But true technique begins before the movement starts and continues after it ends. It is in the preparation the transitions and the way we move from one exercise to the next. Whether you are on the Reformer or working on the mat it is important to realise that technique is not confined to just the main event. It is in everything that surrounds it.

Take something as simple as transitioning from kneeling side kick to the other side. How you move from one side to the other is just as significant as the exercise itself. These in between moments are not pauses or breaks. They are opportunities to maintain your focus reconnect to your centre and reset your alignment.

Everything you would normally apply to a Pilates movement such as quality control breath lengthened spine and connection to centre should also be applied to the transitions. It is about preparing the body setting it up every single time so when you move into the next exercise you are already engaged focused and in good alignment.

One of the greatest benefits of focusing on transitions is that it maintains your concentration throughout the whole class. Rather than feeling like you are doing a checklist of exercises you begin to experience your class as a continuous flow of movement. This kind of sustained focus helps the hour pass more quickly and it deepens the mind and body connection that is at the heart of the Pilates method.

The added benefit of doing focused transitions is that you can make them suitable for all participants or tailored to an individual’s needs. This allows each client to work through their session more safely and effectively. Every transition becomes a moment to check in adjust if needed and ensure they are feeling positive after the last movement. This creates a rhythm that carries them smoothly from start to finish.

So next time you are teaching or taking a class pay attention to the transitions. They might just be the missing link between good movement and great Pilates.