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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.

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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.

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?

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • 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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Don't Let Anatomy Intimidate
Anatomical Position
What is Anatomical Position of the Body?
Anatomical Terminology
Basic Anatomical Terminology
Planes of Motion
In Studio Recap: Planes of Motion
In Studio Recap: Planes of Motion during Pilates exercises
Understand the Axial vs. Appendicular and identify the major bones of the human body.

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.

Cranium

In this video we will look at how many vertebra in each section of the spine.

Sections of the Spine Quiz

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.

Vertebrae
Sternum
Ribcage
Sacrum & Coccygeal Vertebrae
Apendicular Skeleton Intro
Clavical
Scapula
Humerus
Radius & Ulna
The Pelvis
Femur

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.

Quiz 2
How to describe movements of the body anatomically
Flexion/Extension
Abduction/Adduction
Lateral Rotation & Medial Rotation
Circumduction & Horizontal Abduction/Adduction
Supination/Pronation & Dorsiflexion/Plantar Flexion
Six Movements of the Scapula
Section Review
In Studio Recap: Types of Movements - Shoulder & Elbow
In Studio Recap: Types of Movements - Ankle, Knees, & Hips
Quiz 3
The various types of joints in the human body
Types of joints
Recap Types of Joints
How to use identify different types of muscular contractions
Concentric, Eccentric, Isometric & Isotonic Contractions
What is meant by the "core" in Pilates
The "Core"
Learn the four layers of abdominals
Internal Oblique, External Oblique, & Rectus Abdominis
Major muscles of the truck
Erector Spinea
Quadratus Lumborum
Internal & External Intercostals
Major muscles of the lower body
Quadriceps
Iliopsoas
Gluts
Hamstrings
Gastroc
Soleus
Tibialis Anterior
Peroneals

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

Sartorius
Adductors, Pectineus, & Gracilis
Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL)
Iliotibial band (ITB)
Anterior Leg Review
Major muscles of the upper body
Serratus Anterior
Trapezius
Rhomboid Major and Minor
Deltoids
Latissimus Dorsi
Pectoralis Minor & Major
Bicep Brachii
Brachialis
Brachioradialis
Tricep Brachii
Rotator Cuff
Teres Major
Coracobrachialis
Sternocleidomastoid

Please find a review document in Resources to help you review some of this course content.

Important boney landmarks you can see and touch on the human body to identify bones or joints for postural analysis

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.

Side View Landmarks
Front View Landmarks
Back View Landmarks
Let’s put it all together!

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

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, 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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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
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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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
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
Engaging in muscle group identification drills will help you easily identify the major muscles of the human body.
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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
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
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
Attending anatomy conferences and workshops allows you to interact with experts and learn about the latest research.
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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
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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Learners who complete Basic Anatomy for Pilates Instructors will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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