The pilates method is a complete system, moving, undulating and flowing through exercises and executing the limbs from a strong powerhouse. It has never been about rigidity, flat backs or standing in a lumbar lordosis, neither has Pilates Manchester ever coached or taught that way.
Pilates differs from yoga in that it is based on repetitions rather than the holding of a specific pose. It also does not strive to sit in the end range of motion. This would be destructive in a hypermobile client. When I am working with hypermobile clients, I reduce the range of movement to challenge the client. The opposite a hypo mobile client may be pushed to their end range so they can get more opening, space and length in their tissues.
In the book; ‘Return to Life’ by Joseph Pilates, p16/17 states that; ‘Practically 95 % of the population suffers from varying degrees of spinal curvature, not to mention more serious ailments’. The next paragraph I feel has been misinterpreted like many religious books. It goes on to say: ‘In a newly born infant the back is flat because the spine is straight. Of course we all know that this is exactly as intended by nature’.
Now each curve of the spine according to Schaeffer should be 30-35 degrees, this is a neutral upright posture on the plumbline showing the following key points: In the lateral view, the plumb line is imagined extending from the ankle upwards, serving as a reference for alignment. Proper posture, or neutral spine alignment, occurs when various body parts—ears, shoulders, hips—line up along this plumb line, illustrating the relationship to gravity.
Now here is where more confusion arises, Return to life states : ‘When the spine curves, the entire body is thrown out of its natural alignment off balance. Note daily the back would be flat if the spine were kept as straight as a plumb line, and its flexibility would be comparable to that of a watch spring’.
My interpretation is that it does not mean a tucked pelvis resulted in a completely flat back, but exactly as it states the curves on a plumb line. P22 of ‘Return to life’ goes on to talk about walking referencing: ‘Do not push your hips out or lock your knees. Progress forwards with a slightly swaying graceful motion comparable to the effect created by a gentle breeze blowing over a field of growing heat ready for harvest, causing it gracefully sway in ‘Waves’ from its roots to its tips. Never slouch, as doing so compresses the lungs, overcrowds the vital organs, rounds the back, and throws you off balance creating by poising the weight of your body on the balls of your feet’.
Pilates Manchester always teaches and coaches to a neutral spine, to the clients best ability meaning good alignment. Mechanical flaws taught on gym machines or in Pilates is the constant flattening of the lower back against the mat or carriage. This should only happen when articulating , rolling or manoeuvring through the movement. For example on the full roll up. Basi Pilates, Rael Isacovitch book states that: ‘Maintaining the natural curves of the spine is important as they act as shock absorbers, protecting the body during impact, whether landing from a jump, running or carrying a heavy load. We therefore always strive to attain ideal alignment and to develop musculature to support it’. Rael also goes onto state that posture and alignment, also facilitate efficient functioning or the organs including breathing.
Madeline Black’s Centered book states: ‘In everyday life, the spine is moving through all dimensions. All movements evolve around a combination of flexion/extension, side bending and rotation. It is the overall shape of the vertebrae in each region of the spine that dictates the motion’.
If the back is forced flat in any sort of movement system this will over-recruits the superficial abdominal wall and actively destroys the natural lumbar curve. Also a flattened lower back is a weak lower back. Under heavy athletic loads or sudden explosive sprints, losing that natural spinal curve completely destabilizes your core. Instead of protecting your body, this structural flattening leaves athletes wide open to severe non-contact injuries on the field.
With regards to what is neutral spine, that is another article in itself. CHEK faculty member Matthew Walldens research paper on ‘Neutral Spine’, also emphasizes optimal load sharing, he goes on to state: ‘When there is greater flexion in the spine, there is greater loading on the disc, while when there is greater extension in the spine the load shifts toward the facets. Maintaining a neutral spine is the best way to load between the three pillars of the tripod mechanism’.
Bibliography
Matthew Wallden – Chek Faculty – The neutral spine principle
‘Return to life through Contrology’ – Joseph Pilates
‘Pilates’ – Rael Isacowitz
‘Centered’ – Madeline Black