When I started my Pilates training, I knew zero anatomy. Literally, nothing. I was intimidated — big time. When I began my Pilates teacher training course everyone seemed to talk-the-talk. I listened and nodded pretending I knew what they were talking about and hoped I didn’t get called on. Needless to say, this was not a great way to begin my training. I was in over my head.
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When I started my Pilates training, I knew zero anatomy. Literally, nothing. I was intimidated — big time. When I began my Pilates teacher training course everyone seemed to talk-the-talk. I listened and nodded pretending I knew what they were talking about and hoped I didn’t get called on. Needless to say, this was not a great way to begin my training. I was in over my head.
When I started my Pilates training, I knew zero anatomy. Literally, nothing. I was intimidated — big time. When I began my Pilates teacher training course everyone seemed to talk-the-talk. I listened and nodded pretending I knew what they were talking about and hoped I didn’t get called on. Needless to say, this was not a great way to begin my training. I was in over my head.
I want you to have a different experience. I want you to walk into your first Pilates course with the confidence and knowledge to crush it.
This course will:
Build your foundational knowledge of anatomy,
Teach you to use the correct anatomical language that will be used throughout your Pilates teacher training courses,
Give you the skills to understand the anatomy of an exercise, which will allow you to teach directly to your client’s needs,
Set you up for long-term success and give you the confidence to teach with knowledge.
If you don’t know what muscles an exercise targets, how can you give a client a well-balanced, educated workout?
Here is a detailed description of the course content:
SECTION 1: Overview of the Course
SECTION 2: Why It's Important to Learn Anatomy as a Pilates Instructor
SECTION 3: What is Anatomical Position?
SECTION 4: Anatomical Terminology
Basic Anatomical Terminology
Planes of Motion
In Studio Recap.
SECTION 5: The Skeleton
Axial vs Appendicular Skeleton
Cranium
Sections of the Spine
Spinal Curves
Vertebrae
Sternum
Ribcage
Sacrum
Clavicle
Scapula
Humorous
Radius & Ulna
Pelvis
Femur
Patella
Tibia & Fibula
SECTION 6: Movements of the Spine and Joint
Flexion/Extension
Abduction/Adduction
Lateral/Medial Rotation
Circumduction
Horizontal Abduction/Adduction
Supination/Pronation & Dorsiflexion/Plantarflexion
In studio recap
SECTION 7: Types of JointsSECTION 8: Types of Muscular Contraction
SECTION 9: What is the Core?
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What's inside
Learning objectives
- Human anatomy
- The anatomy necessary to take pilates teacher training courses
- Human anatomy
- The anatomy necessary to take pilates teacher training courses
Syllabus
Basic Anatomy for Pilates Instructors
You can download the lecture slides by going to Lecture 4 Resources.
Introduction
I'm Holly Furgason. I'm a Pilates professional, teaching coach, business consultant, writer, and international educator. I've taught Pilates since 2000, and accumulated tens of thousands of hours experience. I'm the founder and CEO of Blue Sparrow Pilates, the only Merrithew Licensed Training Center in San Francisco.
I've worked with diverse clientele from professional athletes to those in rehabilitation. You can see my writing published in Pilates Style Magazine, PilatesIntel, Pilates-Pro, PilatesPal, and Profitable Pilates.
Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT)
Lead Instructor Trainer for STOTT PILATES®, Fascial Movement, CORE, Total Barre
STOTT PILATES® Fully Certification
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Michigan
Masters of Fine Arts in Choreography and Performance from Mills College in Oakland, California
Creator of Fit Pregnancy app with over 120K downloads (2019)
Let's work hand in hand to learn anatomy!
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Syllabus
You can download the lecture slides by going to Lecture 4 Resources.
I'm Holly Furgason. I'm a Pilates professional, teaching coach, business consultant, writer, and international educator. I've taught Pilates since 2000, and accumulated tens of thousands of hours experience. I'm the founder and CEO of Blue Sparrow Pilates, the only Merrithew Licensed Training Center in San Francisco.
I've worked with diverse clientele from professional athletes to those in rehabilitation. You can see my writing published in Pilates Style Magazine, PilatesIntel, Pilates-Pro, PilatesPal, and Profitable Pilates.
Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT)
Lead Instructor Trainer for STOTT PILATES®, Fascial Movement, CORE, Total Barre
STOTT PILATES® Fully Certification
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Michigan
Masters of Fine Arts in Choreography and Performance from Mills College in Oakland, California
Creator of Fit Pregnancy app with over 120K downloads (2019)
Let's work hand in hand to learn anatomy!
Download the Resource "skeleton_Bone_Identification.pdf". It includes both a blank skeleton that you can work towards being able to identify, as well as a labeled skeleton which will give you a visual while you work through this section. By the end of this section, you should be able to identify all the bones labeled.
In this video we will look at how many vertebra in each section of the spine.
Download the Resource "skeleton_SpinalCurves_Identification.pdf". By the end of this lecture, you should be able to identify all three sections of the spine.
Now that you know the bones, identify them on the skeleton.
Also attached is a PDF of the bony landmarks for your reference. I've labeled bony landmarks on the skeleton. Depending on the curriculum for your Pilates education, it may be helpful for postural analysis.
1 Piriformis
2 Gemellus superior
3 Gemellus inferior
4 Obturator internus
5 Obturator externus
6 Quadratus femoris
All work to externally (laterally) rotate the femur in the hip joint
Please find a review document in Resources to help you review some of this course content.
In your Pilates teacher training course you will learn how to analysis posture. To do this, you will need to know some boney landmarks. They are bones that you can see and touch easily. Here's a quick run through of some important boney landmarks.
This quiz will test your knowledge of anatomical terms, planes of motion and bones.
This quiz will test your knowledge of muscles. It's a bit tricky to quiz you on muscles because identification is so important. To properly test and develop your knowledge, this is where muscle flashcards are really important.
Good to know
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Activities
Exploring online anatomy resources
Show steps
There are many great online resources that can help you learn more about anatomy. This activity will help familiarize yourself with these resources.
Browse courses on
Online Learning
Show steps
-
Visit online anatomy websites and explore their resources.
-
Watch online anatomy videos and tutorials.
-
Use online anatomy software to interact with 3D models.
Basic anatomical terminology
Show steps
Getting familiar with anatomical terminology will help you better understand the rest of the course. This activity helps you review and refresh your anatomy prerequisite knowledge.
Show steps
-
Review the four basic anatomical terms: superior/inferior, anterior/posterior, medial/lateral, and proximal/distal.
-
Practice using these terms to describe the location of different body parts on a diagram or model.
Identifying major muscle groups
Show steps
Engaging in muscle group identification drills will help you easily identify the major muscles of the human body.
Browse courses on
Anatomy
Show steps
-
Locate and touch the major muscle groups on your own body.
-
Use an anatomical chart or model to identify the major muscle groups.
-
Practice identifying muscle groups from different perspectives (e.g., anterior, posterior, lateral).
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Understanding anatomical planes and movements
Show steps
Understanding anatomical planes aids in describing movements and understanding how muscles work.
Browse courses on
Anatomy
Show steps
-
Review the three anatomical planes (sagittal, frontal, transverse) and the movements that occur in each plane.
-
Practice identifying the anatomical plane of a given movement.
-
Describe the movements of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle in each anatomical plane.
Reading an anatomy textbook
Show steps
Reading an anatomy textbook can provide in-depth knowledge of human anatomy.
Show steps
-
Choose a reputable anatomy textbook and read the assigned chapters.
-
Take notes and highlight important concepts.
-
Test your understanding by completing practice questions and quizzes.
Attending an anatomy conference or workshop
Show steps
Attending anatomy conferences and workshops allows you to interact with experts and learn about the latest research.
Browse courses on
Networking
Show steps
-
Research upcoming anatomy conferences and workshops.
-
Register for a conference or workshop that aligns with your interests.
-
Attend the conference or workshop and actively participate in the sessions.
Developing an anatomy teaching plan
Show steps
Developing an anatomy teaching plan will help you organize your knowledge and effectively teach anatomy to others.
Browse courses on
Lesson Planning
Show steps
-
Identify the learning objectives for your anatomy lesson.
-
Choose appropriate teaching methods and materials.
-
Develop a lesson plan that includes activities, assessments, and timelines.
Exploring online anatomy resources
Show steps
There are many great online resources that can help you learn more about anatomy. This activity will help familiarize yourself with these resources.
Browse courses on
Online Learning
Show steps
- Visit online anatomy websites and explore their resources.
- Watch online anatomy videos and tutorials.
- Use online anatomy software to interact with 3D models.
Basic anatomical terminology
Show steps
Getting familiar with anatomical terminology will help you better understand the rest of the course. This activity helps you review and refresh your anatomy prerequisite knowledge.
Show steps
- Review the four basic anatomical terms: superior/inferior, anterior/posterior, medial/lateral, and proximal/distal.
- Practice using these terms to describe the location of different body parts on a diagram or model.
Identifying major muscle groups
Show steps
Engaging in muscle group identification drills will help you easily identify the major muscles of the human body.
Browse courses on
Anatomy
Show steps
- Locate and touch the major muscle groups on your own body.
- Use an anatomical chart or model to identify the major muscle groups.
- Practice identifying muscle groups from different perspectives (e.g., anterior, posterior, lateral).
Understanding anatomical planes and movements
Show steps
Understanding anatomical planes aids in describing movements and understanding how muscles work.
Browse courses on
Anatomy
Show steps
- Review the three anatomical planes (sagittal, frontal, transverse) and the movements that occur in each plane.
- Practice identifying the anatomical plane of a given movement.
- Describe the movements of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle in each anatomical plane.
Reading an anatomy textbook
Show steps
Reading an anatomy textbook can provide in-depth knowledge of human anatomy.
Show steps
- Choose a reputable anatomy textbook and read the assigned chapters.
- Take notes and highlight important concepts.
- Test your understanding by completing practice questions and quizzes.
Attending an anatomy conference or workshop
Show steps
Attending anatomy conferences and workshops allows you to interact with experts and learn about the latest research.
Browse courses on
Networking
Show steps
- Research upcoming anatomy conferences and workshops.
- Register for a conference or workshop that aligns with your interests.
- Attend the conference or workshop and actively participate in the sessions.
Developing an anatomy teaching plan
Show steps
Developing an anatomy teaching plan will help you organize your knowledge and effectively teach anatomy to others.
Browse courses on
Lesson Planning
Show steps
- Identify the learning objectives for your anatomy lesson.
- Choose appropriate teaching methods and materials.
- Develop a lesson plan that includes activities, assessments, and timelines.
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