Q: How do ZEN•GA® principles differ from the STOTT PILATES® Five Basic Principles?
A: The ZEN•GA principles of Breathing, Support, Yield and Flow are mindful movement principles that are meant to heighten awareness. Taking more of a somatic approach, the principles emphasize internal physical perception, experience, imagery and connection to the environment. The ultimate goal is to create flow by teaching clients how to be more conscious during their workouts. ZEN·GA workouts are designed to stimulate the fascial system, focus on the breath, build endurance, strength, stability and mobility. Using the principles, workouts can help release restrictions, create a more mobile, energetic body, enhance overall well-being and improve muscle tone and function.
The STOTT PILATES Five Basic Principles are anatomically-based principles that focus on the core, correct body alignment and stabilization during isolated movements. Breathing, Pelvic Placement, Ribcage Placement, Scapular Movement and Stabilization and Head and Cervical Placement, are biomechanical awareness principles that guide the body to proper alignment so there is muscular balance on all sides/areas of the body. These principles work together to create intelligent exercise that is both safe and effective.