Pilates Terminology

· Abdominals - refers to the muscles in the front on the stomach including rectus abdominus, internal oblique, external oblique and transverse abdominus

· Abduction - A movement in the frontal plane which takes a part of the body away from the median plane

·Adduction - A movement in the frontal plane which takes a part of the body towards the median plane.

·Bilateral - Affects/involves both sides of the body equally.

·Breathing - One of the 6 Pilates Principles, breathing involves using deep, coordinated, conscious diaphragmatic patterns of inhales and exhales to initiate, and during movement

·Centring - One of the 6 Pilates Principles, centring involves bringing the focus of the movements to the centre of the body - the area between the lower ribs and pubic bone - the ‘powerhouse ’

·Concentration -One of the 6 Pilates Principles, concentration invlovles conscious control of the movement of each body part, not just the overall movements of the exercise

·Concentric Contraction - When a muscle is shortened as is contracts to resist a force

·Contraction - The tightening and shortening of a muscle.

·Control - One of the 6 Pilates Principles, control involves completing a exercise or movement with deliberate muscular control.

·Contrology - Contrology is the original term that Joseph Pilates used to describe his exercise system.

·Core strength - The balanced development of the deep and superficial muscles that stabilize, align, and move the trunk of the body, especially the abdominals and muscles of the back.

·Eccentric Contraction - When a muscle is lengthens as it contracts to resist a force

·Exercise Ball - Fitness balls are large balls, 55cm - 75cm, that are used in all kinds of fitness scenarios from physical therapy to yoga, Pilates, and general exercise. Also known as exercise balls, balance balls, stability balls.

·Flow - One of the 6 Pilates Principles, flow involves ensuring the movements are a smooth, continuous motion rather than jarring repetitions

·Hyperextension - The extension of body parts beyond their normal limits.

· Magic Circle - A simple isometric device comprising a flexible ring with handles. Can be used to firm the muscles of the upper arms, neck, and inner thighs (especially good for expectant mothers). In place of this piece of equipment, one may substitute a rubber ball with a diameter of about 12"-16". The Pilates magic circle is a flexible ring, usually metal, with padded handles, about 13 inches in diameter.

·Neutral spine/pelvis - the mid position between the limits of lumbar spine flexion (bending forward as in touching your toes) and extension (arching backwards), see Neutral Spine for more informarion

·Pilates Principles - Add brief description of each principle and link to principles page other page see link on Principles for detailed information

·Precision - One of the 6 Pilates Principles, precision involves spatial awareness, that is when initiating any movement, you must know exactly where that movement starts and where it will end

·Prone - lying face down

·Reformer - The reformer is a piece of resistance exercise equipment designed by Joseph Pilates. It consists of a platform that moves back and forth along a carriage. Resistance is provided by the exerciser's body weight and by springs attached to the carriage and platform.

·Supine - Lying face up.

·Table-top - The knees are bent so that the thighs are perpendicular to the floor and the shins are parallel to the floor.

·Transverse Abdominus - The transverse abdominus (Tab) muscle is a key muscle in providing dynamic stability to the lower back and pelvis. The muscle is the deepest of all the abdominal muscles, and runs from the centre of the abdominal area at the front of the body (linear alba, inguinal ligament, bottom six ribs) and wraps around the body and attaches to the connective tissue (fascia) of the lumbar spine. for detailed information