Isn't it confusing when teachers use different names for the same exercise or the same name for different exercises?

We want to help you find the information you need quickly. Name confusion shouldn't have to slow you down! At the beginning of each chapter, you'll now find a list of Alternative...

The Stomach Series is great for increasing abdominal strength, control, and endurance. You're likely familiar with the exercises in this series. We have Single Leg Stretch, Double Leg Stretch, Single Straight Leg Stretch, Double Straight Leg Stretch, and Criss Cross. As you were reading this...

To prevent injury and move efficiently, we need our bodies to have strength and mobility. Maybe that's obvious when we're thinking about our muscles, but people who are new to Pilates might not realize this also applies to our spines.  

During their Pilates journey, they might start to...

In our daily lives, we spend most of our time shortening (and collapsing) the front side of our bodies. Sitting and slouching, for instance, shortens our hip flexors, pectorals, and abdominals. In our Pilates practice, many of the exercises shorten and contract the front side of our bodies...

We curl the head, neck, and shoulders up so often in Pilates. Unfortunately, neck tension goes hand-in-hand with this movement for many people. How can we prevent this? Let's look at the Chest Lift on the Mat as an example. 

Interlace your fingers or nest one palm in the other palm so you...

I love challenging spinal stabilizers on the transverse plane with weight distribution exercises.

For example, I’ll be teaching Knee Folds or Marching. You lie on your back and lift or hover one foot above the mat without rocking your pelvis. Many of my students initially don’t...

If you’re hitting the slopes this year, do your body a favor and include some Pilates exercises that will keep your knees safe and your legs strong so you can tackle that bunny slope black diamond!

In the Programming & Sequencing chapter of the Pilates Encyclopedia, you’ll...

As we move throughout our daily life, we need to be able to safely move the spine in all directions. In the Programming & Sequencing chapter of the Pilates Encyclopedia, you’ll find a list of exercises that move the lumbar spine into flexion.

The biggest benefit of lumbar flexion...

For one or two of my students, Tower is the single best exercise to release tension from their backs. But what to do if they don’t have a Trapeze Table at home, or can’t make it to the studio every single day?

The best alternative that I’ve come up (so far) is Bridging with Feet...

Ankles that are flexible and strong are key to preventing injuries, falls, and compensations up the kinetic chain. A list of ankle stability and mobility exercises has been added to the Pilates Encyclopedia.

Here’s a few to get you started:

Mat

• Balance on a half roller: foot...