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Pilates has its own lingo, and knowing some basic terms goes a long way. Here is a glossary to get you started and to support your Taylor Pilates and Fitness online Pilates mat and Oov classes.

Spine Articulation: Moving your spine one segment or vertebra at a time in a fluid manner.

Spine Flexion: A forward bend of the spine such as rounding forward to touch your toes.

Spine Extension: A backward bend such as lying on your stomach and pushing up away from the floor with your arms.

Side-bend: Creating a C-shape curve in the spine at the side of the body. Example: you are standing, and then you reach one arm down toward your knee.

Rotation: A twisting movement such as turning your head and torso to look to the side.

Hip Hinge: A bend at your hips while keeping your back flat (or its natural curves in place).

Neutral Spine: Maintaining the natural curves that are present in your spine. Typically, people have an inward curve in their low back, an outward curve in their upper back, and an inward curve in their neck. Neutral spine varies person to person, and we often refer to your ability to keep, maintain, and hold the curves steady in certain Pilates exercises.

Table Top: Refers to your hips and knees being bent at a 90-degree angle when lying on your back (also called 90-90).

Prone: Lying on your stomach.

Supine: Lying on your back.

Core: When referencing the core, we are referring to the transverse abdominus, multifidi, diaphragm, and pelvic floor. The core does not mean your abs, but the cylinder of muscles that work together to support and move your spine.

Plantar Flexion: Pointing your foot down toward the floor (toes down and heel up).

Dorsiflexion: Pulling your foot up toward the ceiling (heel down, toes up).