What is finding Neutral in Pilates?

What is finding Neutral in Pilates? The essence of PIlates for Physiotherapists is initially to add control into your movements but also make you think about how you move. The 5 key principles of setting in Pilates are described in the video above.

The neck and head position should be relaxed and chin tucked under. The shoulders should be drawn away from the neck leaving it long.

Think about opening from the chest and softening the ribs. This movement is so important as when you relax your ribs you are then able to move more through your mid back.

Once we have worked down to our tummy then we are thinking about what our low back is doing. The neutral position is found by tilting your pelvis forwards and backwards and finding the mid position. Then when we are moving we are concious that we are trying to maintain this position.

Finally make sure the feet and the knees are slightly apart and a gentle pressure through your knees to stop them from swaying when we start the exercises.

We must remember we what we need from our setting is an awareness of maintaining positions. This will help us feel the exercises in the right places and workout how hard or easy you can work. All the time you are considering your position and thinking about how you are moving the more feedback you will give your body.

Exercises in this position will work your abdominals, mid back and gluteals. The starting position is always the same and it is worth your while practising your setting so that you when you are progressing the exercises you are able to really control your movements. If you would like a 20 minute assessment of your Pilates position, please get in touch.