The key to safe, effectively sustained exercise that strengthens, lengthens, and improves function is AWARENESS in EXECUTION. In other words, can you feel what you are doing and how you are doing it? Or are you tuned out? How do you feel days after? Can you draw a link between how you feel during a movement and how you feel days after? It is no mystery that injury usually occurs when we are distracted or execute a movement when our body is simply not ready. Or we repeatedly engage in an activity that is not aligned ergonomically, which over time leads to a break down of physical tissue we feel as soreness and finally injury.

Ergonomics is the science of aligning our physical structures with optimal movement. A joint is an intersection of two or more bones that move towards an outcome. For example, bending, reaching or twisting take places through joints that meet and move on each other to create a desired movement. The goal of the Pilates Method is to create aligned function through proper set-up and execution. If you simply move without taking the time to align your structure, the chances of creating imbalance and dysfunctional movement is all but assured.

Neutral spine aims towards ergonomic placement BEFORE a movement occurs. Setting up or preparing your body before movement execution requires awareness through the science of ergonomics. If we set up properly and continue to track movement as it shifts through space, we place ourselves in the driver’s seat and injury is much less likely to occur. When you properly set up, your nervous system begins learning how to track movement effectively. Tension that is uncomfortable is an indicator that alignment is dysfunctional and needs correction. The goal of your instructor is to help you monitor and track your alignment giving corrections when alignment is dysfunctional, drawing your attention towards the science of ergonomics and injury free exercise.