8 Functional Anatomy Principles

The 8 anatomy principles of movement are laid out in a clear and succinct manner – easy to follow and understand. They are the building blocks to not only how the student moves but what we need to remember when cueing.

Anna C

I was skilled and knowledgeable before the program but I felt like a dime a dozen Pilates instructors. Now I have a specialty and a deeper understanding about the nature of muscles & function. I can recognize weakness, structural issues, and bring more to any session than just stretch a tight muscle. Now it’s so obvious. In a traditional Pilates or yoga sequence, we would just work through – or stop if a client couldn’t work without discomfort. Now, I find a different way to address muscles and know more about what’s happening to provide results instead of modifications or eliminating part of a sequence.

I have a vocabulary now due to this program. I feel very confident now that what I’m doing is the right thing, and I have the words to explain so clearly what’s happening. I wasn’t able to do that before. I would have even referred them back to their doctor.

Now I have conversations with colleagues (physical therapists and physicians!) about what I do and what they do. I feel like an equal player in helping our shared client on the same goals. I feel more professional as a practitioner, like I have more to say than “I just do Pilates”. I’ve worked on torn labrums with success since learning the information in this program. I have the words to explain why an exercise needs to be done and get them to really do their homework. I’m definitely more confident in everything – even the business side of things. My pitch is so clear now!

There are so many teachers out there that do not know enough about functional anatomy. I think they all need this material! And I can’t believe I’m not even done with this program, there is more coming!

Danielle O

The primary and inter-woven and over-riding role of the nervous system to the 8 anatomy principles of movement.

Anna C

In breaking each principle down and why it is important for safety can be really beneficial to knowing how to best help our clients.

Carliann S

The information is very useful for helping your clientele in many fields.

Shanna H

I am not a yoga instructor, but do self-practice yoga on a daily basis. I was surprised that I wasn’t always doing asanas correctly because I was often “dumping” into a pose instead of contracting the correct muscles. This was groundbreaking for me and has changed my yoga practice. I also have been able to better articulate to my clients’ anatomical ways they can help improve their posture and alleviate pain by the “stretching doesn’t exist” principle.

Dyan B

This is a course that would benefit all Pilates instructors.

Danielle H

The material is extremely helpful to help clients safely.

Eva M

How much going over the against and antagonist part landed better with me with remembering some of the muscles and their actions.

Shanna H

Valuable takeaway:

1) You need to be sure to be activating the correct muscles in order to increase length in the antagonist.
2) More for myself as I’m an LMT, but occasionally I advise clients on these things to help them when they aren’t getting desired body results.
3) It is relevant to massage vs. yoga (although I understand it is meant mostly for yoga instructions.
4) It has been beneficial to understanding the way the muscles work more efficiently.