Control

By Kerry De Vivo

Contrology, this is how Joe Pilates referred to his method of body conditioning. 

Contrology, that would be the study of control. 

Of all of the many benefits of the Pilates Method, as we refer to it today, why emphasize control vs. uniform development of the body, increased strength or flexibility, or improved posture or balance? I believe Joe Pilates chose to emphasize the concept of control in naming his work Contrology because the results of his method are only truly achievable, to their full level of potential, because of the use of physical and mental control.

In Joseph Pilates’ book Return to Life Through Contrology he states,

“Contrology is complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.” 

He also says,

“Contrology develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit.”

In my nearly 25 years of teaching Pilates, I have observed an increase in challenge for clients to attain the element of mental control. An ever increasing fast-paced lifestyle bombarded with technology has made keeping focus an increased challenge for people of all ages. More than ever, we need to develop and discipline our minds to have a true level of concentration (another of the six principles of the Pilates Method) in order to have control of our body via our mind.

If you have not experienced exercise with the incorporation of mental control, it might be hard to understand the benefits of this type of work. 

Joe Pilates said,

“It's the mind itself which shapes the body.” 

As we practice the exercises, we need to focus on following the rules of the exercises to therefore perform them with their intended purpose. We all have natural strengths and weaknesses and our bodies have movement patterns and habits based on those imbalances. The Pilates Method uniformly develops the body. We must control our movements and not move as our body tends to move but as our mind tells our body to move with awareness. This is where the outside eye of our Pilates teachers is so helpful in seeing what is happening in our movement in order to find the balance. We have to control our mind and concentrate on our actions to gain these benefits. And then practice it, a lot. 

As Joe Pilates says,

“One of the major results in Contrology is gaining the mastery of your mind over the complete control of your body.”

As a result of controlling our mind to control our movements, we develop new patterns of movement that allow us to enjoy the activities we want to keep doing, to live with less or no pain, and to feel empowered.

I always say there are few things we can truly have control over in our lives. One is our attitude and another is the choices we make. 

As you practice Pilates, choose to do so with a level of awareness that brings control physically and mentally. 

The reward is great. You will finish with increased wellbeing physically but so refreshed mentally as well. 

As Joe Pilates says, 

“The mind, when housed within a healthful body, possesses a glorious sense of power.”

It should come as no surprise that the Excel Pilates trademarked slogan is

EMPOWER YOUR BODY - EMPOWER YOUR MIND®. 

Notice it proudly adorning our studio in the photo above. Enjoy your Contrology exercises!