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Basic Anatomy for Pilates Instructors

Holly Furgason

4.6

Based on 1,509 ratings

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Holly Furgason

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:

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!

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.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for Pilates instructors seeking a foundational understanding of anatomy to support their teaching

Provides a comprehensive overview of human anatomy, including the skeletal system, muscular system, and joint movements

Taught by Holly Furgason, a certified Pilates instructor and educator with extensive experience and industry recognition

Covers the terminology and anatomical knowledge necessary for Pilates teacher training courses

Incorporates multiple resources, including videos, downloadable materials, and in-studio recaps, to enhance learning

May require additional resources or background knowledge for learners with limited prior exposure to anatomy

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Reviews summary

Foundational anatomy for pilates professionals

According to learners who would benefit from foundational knowledge, this course is a highly practical and targeted introduction to anatomy for Pilates instructors. Many would find it exceptionally clear and well-structured, providing the essential anatomical language needed for teacher training. The instructor's deep expertise is a significant positive, and the inclusion of in-studio recaps and downloadable resources would be seen as very helpful. While it offers a solid foundational understanding, some advanced students might find it too basic, requiring supplementary study for deeper biomechanical insights.

Well-paced for beginners, but may be too basic for advanced learners.

"For someone completely new to anatomy, the pacing felt just right and not overwhelming."

"While comprehensive for a basic course, I'd suggest supplementing if you need advanced biomechanics."

"If you already know some anatomy, parts of this might be a review, but it's good for solidifying basics."

Benefits from a highly experienced and credentialed instructor.

"The instructor's extensive background in Pilates truly shines through in her teaching."

"It's evident the instructor is a seasoned professional; her insights are invaluable."

"I felt confident learning from someone with so many years of teaching and certification."

Includes practical examples and helpful downloadable resources.

"The 'In Studio Recap' segments helped me visualize the movements in a Pilates context."

"The downloadable PDFs for bone identification and review are excellent study aids."

"Learning about bony landmarks for postural analysis is directly applicable to teaching clients."

Builds a solid, understandable base in anatomy.

"I had zero anatomy knowledge, and this course made complex concepts easy to grasp."

"The explanations are very clear, making it perfect for beginners in anatomy."

"It gave me the confidence to step into my first Pilates course without feeling overwhelmed."

Anatomy knowledge specifically tailored for Pilates.

"This course perfectly addresses the anatomy needed specifically for Pilates teacher training."

"I appreciate how the anatomy is always contextualized within Pilates movements and teaching."

"It's great to have anatomy simplified and relevant to what I'll actually use in my Pilates practice."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Basic Anatomy for Pilates Instructors with these activities:

Exploring online anatomy resources

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There are many great online resources that can help you learn more about anatomy. This activity will help familiarize yourself with these resources.

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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

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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.

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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

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Engaging in muscle group identification drills will help you easily identify the major muscles of the human body.

Browse courses on Anatomy

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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

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Understanding anatomical planes and movements

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Understanding anatomical planes aids in describing movements and understanding how muscles work.

Browse courses on Anatomy

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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

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Reading an anatomy textbook can provide in-depth knowledge of human anatomy.

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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

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Attending anatomy conferences and workshops allows you to interact with experts and learn about the latest research.

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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

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Developing an anatomy teaching plan will help you organize your knowledge and effectively teach anatomy to others.

Browse courses on Lesson Planning

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Identify the learning objectives for your anatomy lesson.
Choose appropriate teaching methods and materials.
Develop a lesson plan that includes activities, assessments, and timelines.

Career center

Learners who complete Basic Anatomy for Pilates Instructors will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Basic Anatomy for Pilates Instructors.

Visible Learning

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Synthesizes over 800 meta-analyses on the factors that impact student achievement. It valuable resource for teachers who want to learn about the most effective teaching methods. The author world-renowned expert on educational assessment and has been recognized for his work by the American Educational Research Association.

Basic Anatomy for Pilates Instructors

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Save this course

Reviews summary

Foundational anatomy for pilates professionals

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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