Pilates and the Power of Intention: Embedding Change Through Repetition

Pilates group embodying intention through focused movement, repetition, and strong mind-body connection.

As Pilates teachers, we often talk about mind body connection, but how do we actually embed new habits, movement based or mental, into our clients’ systems in a way that sticks?

One approach that blends neuroscience with teaching practice is the power of intention combined with repetition across different cognitive pathways. Let’s break it down.

Imagine this: you intend to pick up a pencil. Simple, right? But now, let’s layer that intention using multiple senses. First, you write down your intention. That physical, tactile act of writing connects your mind with your body. Then, you read it silently—activating your internal processing. Next, you say it aloud, bringing in auditory reinforcement. Finally, you visualise the action—engaging the creative and spatial parts of your brain.

When you repeat this sequence, write, read, speak, visualise, over and over, something powerful happens. The action or concept you're embedding becomes part of your subconscious. You're not just thinking about it anymore, you're training your brain to live it.

In Pilates, this method can be applied beautifully. Whether you're working on breath awareness, spinal articulation, or even something as subtle as scapular stability, layering intention with repetition across senses can help your client move from thinking about the movement to embodying it.

Why it works: This multi sensory repetition activates different cognitive brain networks, strengthening the neural pathways associated with the task. It’s not just about muscle memory, it’s brain body memory. The more networks you activate, the more durable the learning becomes.

How you might use this in your teaching:

• Ask clients to set an intention before class and write it down

• Encourage silent and then aloud repetition of a cue or principle (e.g. "Breathe into my back ribs")

• Guide visualisation before or after a movement

• Repeat the same cue across a few weeks but present it with different sensory emphasis

In a world full of quick fixes and superficial learning, this deeper, integrated approach reminds us that Pilates isn't just about movement, it's about change. And change starts with intention.