The Method Behind the Movement
At the heart of every Pilates practice lies a philosophy... a way of moving, yes, but also a way of being in your body. Whether you're stepping into class for the first time or deepening a lifelong practice, the
6 principles of Pilates offer more than a workout: they offer a roadmap to move through life with strength, grace, and presence.
At Ascension Pilates, we bring these timeless principles to life in our
Sculpt
classes, blending traditional Pilates principles with strength training, cardio intervals, and mindful movement. The result? A class that challenges your body, focuses your mind, and uplifts your spirit every single time.
Let’s explore what these six principles are and how we intentionally weave them into every Sculpt class we teach.
1. Concentration
Pilates isn’t about zoning out—it’s about tuning in. Every movement has a purpose, and the more mentally engaged you are, the more effective your practice becomes. It begins with presence.
In Sculpt: Mindful movement is encouraged from warm-up to final stretch. You’re guided to create awareness in your body, notice your breath, and make adjustments from round to round. The more attention you bring to your movement, the deeper the connection and the more powerful the transformation.
2. Control
It’s not about how fast or many—it’s about how well. Whether we’re moving to a timer or counting reps, control is the foundation of safety and results.
In Sculpt:
You’re encouraged to execute every move with intention. Demonstration, clear cueing and layered instruction help you get the most out of each class. Control protects the joints, builds endurance, and strengthens your connection to the way your body moves.
3. Centering
Centering isn’t just core strength, it’s energetic alignment. It brings balance, focus, and confidence to your movement.
In Sculpt:
At the beginning of each class, we take a moment to set an intention. This small but powerful practice helps you shift from the outside world into your body, aligning your energy and focus. From there, we build awareness of the breath, activate the core (the powerhouse of Pilates), and prepare the spine through gentle articulation. From there, we layer on movement in the form of Tabatas, strength circuits, and dynamic sequences designed to challenge your full body. Everything we do flows from the center—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
4. Precision
Moving with purpose brings the method to life. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress through attention.
In Sculpt: We guide you through intentional rounds. The first is to acclimate you to the movement. The second invites you to adjust, refine, and take the challenge. The third round often reveals your inner strength, the moment where you build resilience and willpower, rep by rep.
5. Breath
Your breath is your anchor. In Pilates, we use specific breathing patterns to support movement, activate deep core muscles, and create a rhythm for the body to follow. Breath is the foundation of the Pilates method. It connects your mind and body and fuels your effort.
In Sculpt: Breath is cued throughout class and becomes a tool you learn to use. It brings intention to slower-paced movements and power to intense moments like cardio intervals or core work. Learning to breathe with your movement allows you to move with more control, stability, and awareness.
6. Flow
Flow gives the practice its grace. It’s both how your body moves and how your class is structured.
In Sculpt: We program with purpose, from an intentional warm-up to a full-body workout. Each exercise sets up and supports the next. As you move with control and breath, the flow becomes natural. It feels less like a series of tasks and more like a rhythm you were born to follow.
From the Mat to Your Daily Life
When you embody these principles in class, something shifts. You don’t just feel stronger, you begin to move smarter, breathe deeper, and trust your body again. You become more aware, more grounded, and more empowered—on and off the mat.
Sculpt is more than a workout. It’s a practice of presence. A reclaiming of your strength. A celebration of your resilience.
Ready to experience it for yourself?
Explore our upcoming Sculpt classes and reconnect with your body, your breath, and your power.
View Class Schedule
We’ll meet you on the mat!
Where mindful movement meets soulful connection.
