Why do you hear a lot of “engage with your core, your centre” in Pilates classes? What does this mean?

​Okay... I know whoever attends a Pilates class, especially for the first time will often notice the instructor commenting that you should be “engaging with your centre” this may be one the most confusing and technical term you hear in the class.
 
I remember when I first heard this, I was trying do the exercise “Hundred”. (I hope you are familiar with that). My spine was out of control as soon as I lengthened my legs forward (!) and when my instructor told me to engage with my abdominal muscles to keep my spine still, I held my breath and my abs so tight. That’s what this means right? 
Unfortunately , this was such a typical bad exercise case: I started to hold my breathe in a breathing exercise (!) and it was a painful first meeting with the Hundred!    
 
So, please don’t worry if you don’t know what the centering means, you are not the only person...

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