Pilates Terms - Pilates Terminology

Pilates terms describe various body parts and positions by name. So, below find a list of several terms that you will probably hear in any Pilates classes you attend or on any exercise DVD or video that you may watch dealing with these methods.

Pilates Terms

Abduction: a muscle contraction that draws away from the

mid-line of the body.

Adduction: a muscle contraction that draws inward to the mid-line of the body.

Barrels: specialized Pilates apparatus that enhance breathing, develop both the arms and legs, and work the spine.

Bicep: the large upper arm muscle that flexes the forearm.

Body-mind connection: focusing the mind on the body's movements.

Cadillac: also known as "The Rack" or "Trapeze Table," - one of the most effective and versatile of all Pilates apparatus.

Centering: all work starts from the center (or Powerhouse).

Cervical: the cervical vertebrae are the top seven bones in the spinal column supporting the neck and head.

Coccyx: the tailbone.

Concentric: shortening the muscle.

Contrology: Joseph Pilates originally called his method of exercise by this name.

Disk: a pad of shock-absorbing cartilage between two vertebrae.

Eccentric: lengthening the muscle.

Extension: straightening out a limb using the muscles.

Flexion: bending a limb with muscles.

Hyperextension: straightening out the limb beyond its normal range of motion.

Intercostal muscles: help to control the expansion and contraction of your rib cage when you breathe.

Level your eyes: focus your eyes horizontally straight ahead of you.

Ligament: a band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or cartilage at a joint or supports an organ.

Lumbar: the five large vertebrae in the lower back.

Magic Circle: a simple isometric device comprising a flexible ring with handles.

Mat: most basic and essential of all Pilates equipment.

Navel to spine: drawing your abdominal muscles up and in as you imagine your navel drawing toward your spine.

Neutral pelvis: the pelvis in its most naturally alignment.

Neutral Spine: keeping the natural curve in your spine during exercise instead of flattening it out or pressing it into the floor.

Pelvis: the lower part of the abdomen located between the hip bones, the basin-shaped structure that supports the spinal column.

Pilates Principles: the six core principles that govern the correct execution of Pilates exercises, namely, Breathing, Centering, Control, Concentration, Flowing Movement, and Precision.

Powerhouse: Joseph Pilates' own term for the core region of the torso - including the pelvic girdle, abdominal muscles, buttocks and lower back.

Prone: lying face down.

Quadriceps: large extensor muscle at the front of the thigh.

Rectus Abdominus: the section of muscles running down the stomach that can give you those flat washboard abs.

Reformer: designed to promote torso stability and postural alignment. You can perform more than 100 exercises on this versatile piece of equipment.

Rotation: twisting around a central axis.

Sacrum: the five vertebrae above the tailbone and at the top of the pelvis, usually fused together into a triangular bone.

Scapulae: the shoulder blades.

Scooping your abs: to draw the deepest layers of the abdominal muscles up and in to stabilize the body and support the back.

Sitting up out of your hips: encourages length in the spine while seated.

Smile muscles: where the backs of your thighs insert into your pelvis.

Sniff sniff, blow blow: breathe in percussively two times through your nose to inhale, and blow out percussively two times through your mouth to exhale.

Spine: the back bone.

Supine: lying on your back, face up.

Tendon: a band of flexible, fibrous tissue connecting a muscle to bone.

Thorasic: the 12 central bones in the spinal column that attach to the rib cage.

Transversus Abdominus: the deepest layer of abdominal muscles that help stabilize the core.

Triceps: the muscle at the back of the upper arm that extends or straightens the elbow.

Two-way energy: opposition creates power in the body, which helps you to focus on controlling your movements.

Vertebrae: the bone segments that form the spinal column.

Wunda Chair: an exercise apparatus designed to help you find and strengthen your Powerhouse on which you can perform more than 75 exercises.

Check back later for more Pilates terms.

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