This document discusses Pilates exercises and their focus on strengthening the core "powerhouse" muscles. It divides Pilates exercises into two categories: 1) those that directly work the powerhouse muscles and 2) those that seem to focus elsewhere but still emphasize powerhouse stabilization. Several specific exercises are described in detail to illustrate how they train the powerhouse through movement or stabilization. Maintaining a strong powerhouse is said to improve core stability and protect the spine.
The presentation describes a new manual rehabilitative approach to activate the “Integrated Stabilizing System of the Spine, Chest and Pelvis” and achieve exciting levels of improved function of the locomotor system
The presentation describes a new manual rehabilitative approach to activate the “Integrated Stabilizing System of the Spine, Chest and Pelvis” and achieve exciting levels of improved function of the locomotor system
"Kinetic chain" approach in rehabilitation - Mrs. Fabienne VandesteenePO-PP-Members
Professional Podiatrists Members' Day 2nd of October 2011
"Kinetic chain" approach in the rehabilitation of an athlete: increasing and decreasing chains
-- Mrs. Fabienne Vandesteene --
The manual muscle testing procedure was described in this power point, indications, contraindications, limitations of MMT was included. the MMT grading system (scale) was explained well in this PPT.
This PPT contains a detailed explanation about resisted exercises, different types of exercise, indications & contraindications, manual & mechanical techniques.
Stability principles give athletes rules about holding positions and staying on balance when running. They guide training for improving firmness of positions both for static balance and dynamic balance.
"Kinetic chain" approach in rehabilitation - Mrs. Fabienne VandesteenePO-PP-Members
Professional Podiatrists Members' Day 2nd of October 2011
"Kinetic chain" approach in the rehabilitation of an athlete: increasing and decreasing chains
-- Mrs. Fabienne Vandesteene --
The manual muscle testing procedure was described in this power point, indications, contraindications, limitations of MMT was included. the MMT grading system (scale) was explained well in this PPT.
This PPT contains a detailed explanation about resisted exercises, different types of exercise, indications & contraindications, manual & mechanical techniques.
Stability principles give athletes rules about holding positions and staying on balance when running. They guide training for improving firmness of positions both for static balance and dynamic balance.
Building The Perfect Pitcher by Josh HeenanJosh Heenan
Building the perfect pitcher was a sold out seminar in Stamford, CT highlighting how strength and conditioning is a vital part of a baseball pitcher to stay healthy and throw hard.
For more info and a free video of the live seminar please go to www.joshheenan.com
New Innovations in Pilates book out soon! Learn about the anatomy and kinesiology of Pilates and how to stretch effectively for life and for Pilates improvement.
Ozempic: Preoperative Management of Patients on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Saeid Safari
Preoperative Management of Patients on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists like Ozempic and Semiglutide
ASA GUIDELINE
NYSORA Guideline
2 Case Reports of Gastric Ultrasound
HOT NEW PRODUCT! BIG SALES FAST SHIPPING NOW FROM CHINA!! EU KU DB BK substit...GL Anaacs
Contact us if you are interested:
Email / Skype : kefaya1771@gmail.com
Threema: PXHY5PDH
New BATCH Ku !!! MUCH IN DEMAND FAST SALE EVERY BATCH HAPPY GOOD EFFECT BIG BATCH !
Contact me on Threema or skype to start big business!!
Hot-sale products:
NEW HOT EUTYLONE WHITE CRYSTAL!!
5cl-adba precursor (semi finished )
5cl-adba raw materials
ADBB precursor (semi finished )
ADBB raw materials
APVP powder
5fadb/4f-adb
Jwh018 / Jwh210
Eutylone crystal
Protonitazene (hydrochloride) CAS: 119276-01-6
Flubrotizolam CAS: 57801-95-3
Metonitazene CAS: 14680-51-4
Payment terms: Western Union,MoneyGram,Bitcoin or USDT.
Deliver Time: Usually 7-15days
Shipping method: FedEx, TNT, DHL,UPS etc.Our deliveries are 100% safe, fast, reliable and discreet.
Samples will be sent for your evaluation!If you are interested in, please contact me, let's talk details.
We specializes in exporting high quality Research chemical, medical intermediate, Pharmaceutical chemicals and so on. Products are exported to USA, Canada, France, Korea, Japan,Russia, Southeast Asia and other countries.
TEST BANK for Operations Management, 14th Edition by William J. Stevenson, Ve...kevinkariuki227
TEST BANK for Operations Management, 14th Edition by William J. Stevenson, Verified Chapters 1 - 19, Complete Newest Version.pdf
TEST BANK for Operations Management, 14th Edition by William J. Stevenson, Verified Chapters 1 - 19, Complete Newest Version.pdf
Ethanol (CH3CH2OH), or beverage alcohol, is a two-carbon alcohol
that is rapidly distributed in the body and brain. Ethanol alters many
neurochemical systems and has rewarding and addictive properties. It
is the oldest recreational drug and likely contributes to more morbidity,
mortality, and public health costs than all illicit drugs combined. The
5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5) integrates alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence into a single
disorder called alcohol use disorder (AUD), with mild, moderate,
and severe subclassifications (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
In the DSM-5, all types of substance abuse and dependence have been
combined into a single substance use disorder (SUD) on a continuum
from mild to severe. A diagnosis of AUD requires that at least two of
the 11 DSM-5 behaviors be present within a 12-month period (mild
AUD: 2–3 criteria; moderate AUD: 4–5 criteria; severe AUD: 6–11 criteria).
The four main behavioral effects of AUD are impaired control over
drinking, negative social consequences, risky use, and altered physiological
effects (tolerance, withdrawal). This chapter presents an overview
of the prevalence and harmful consequences of AUD in the U.S.,
the systemic nature of the disease, neurocircuitry and stages of AUD,
comorbidities, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, genetic risk factors, and
pharmacotherapies for AUD.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE.pdfAnujkumaranit
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. It encompasses tasks such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding. AI technologies are revolutionizing various fields, from healthcare to finance, by enabling machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
The prostate is an exocrine gland of the male mammalian reproductive system
It is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system and is located in front of the rectum and just below the urinary bladder
Function is to store and secrete a clear, slightly alkaline fluid that constitutes 10-30% of the volume of the seminal fluid that along with the spermatozoa, constitutes semen
A healthy human prostate measures (4cm-vertical, by 3cm-horizontal, 2cm ant-post ).
It surrounds the urethra just below the urinary bladder. It has anterior, median, posterior and two lateral lobes
It’s work is regulated by androgens which are responsible for male sex characteristics
Generalised disease of the prostate due to hormonal derangement which leads to non malignant enlargement of the gland (increase in the number of epithelial cells and stromal tissue)to cause compression of the urethra leading to symptoms (LUTS
Title: Sense of Smell
Presenter: Dr. Faiza, Assistant Professor of Physiology
Qualifications:
MBBS (Best Graduate, AIMC Lahore)
FCPS Physiology
ICMT, CHPE, DHPE (STMU)
MPH (GC University, Faisalabad)
MBA (Virtual University of Pakistan)
Learning Objectives:
Describe the primary categories of smells and the concept of odor blindness.
Explain the structure and location of the olfactory membrane and mucosa, including the types and roles of cells involved in olfaction.
Describe the pathway and mechanisms of olfactory signal transmission from the olfactory receptors to the brain.
Illustrate the biochemical cascade triggered by odorant binding to olfactory receptors, including the role of G-proteins and second messengers in generating an action potential.
Identify different types of olfactory disorders such as anosmia, hyposmia, hyperosmia, and dysosmia, including their potential causes.
Key Topics:
Olfactory Genes:
3% of the human genome accounts for olfactory genes.
400 genes for odorant receptors.
Olfactory Membrane:
Located in the superior part of the nasal cavity.
Medially: Folds downward along the superior septum.
Laterally: Folds over the superior turbinate and upper surface of the middle turbinate.
Total surface area: 5-10 square centimeters.
Olfactory Mucosa:
Olfactory Cells: Bipolar nerve cells derived from the CNS (100 million), with 4-25 olfactory cilia per cell.
Sustentacular Cells: Produce mucus and maintain ionic and molecular environment.
Basal Cells: Replace worn-out olfactory cells with an average lifespan of 1-2 months.
Bowman’s Gland: Secretes mucus.
Stimulation of Olfactory Cells:
Odorant dissolves in mucus and attaches to receptors on olfactory cilia.
Involves a cascade effect through G-proteins and second messengers, leading to depolarization and action potential generation in the olfactory nerve.
Quality of a Good Odorant:
Small (3-20 Carbon atoms), volatile, water-soluble, and lipid-soluble.
Facilitated by odorant-binding proteins in mucus.
Membrane Potential and Action Potential:
Resting membrane potential: -55mV.
Action potential frequency in the olfactory nerve increases with odorant strength.
Adaptation Towards the Sense of Smell:
Rapid adaptation within the first second, with further slow adaptation.
Psychological adaptation greater than receptor adaptation, involving feedback inhibition from the central nervous system.
Primary Sensations of Smell:
Camphoraceous, Musky, Floral, Pepperminty, Ethereal, Pungent, Putrid.
Odor Detection Threshold:
Examples: Hydrogen sulfide (0.0005 ppm), Methyl-mercaptan (0.002 ppm).
Some toxic substances are odorless at lethal concentrations.
Characteristics of Smell:
Odor blindness for single substances due to lack of appropriate receptor protein.
Behavioral and emotional influences of smell.
Transmission of Olfactory Signals:
From olfactory cells to glomeruli in the olfactory bulb, involving lateral inhibition.
Primitive, less old, and new olfactory systems with different path
Acute scrotum is a general term referring to an emergency condition affecting the contents or the wall of the scrotum.
There are a number of conditions that present acutely, predominantly with pain and/or swelling
A careful and detailed history and examination, and in some cases, investigations allow differentiation between these diagnoses. A prompt diagnosis is essential as the patient may require urgent surgical intervention
Testicular torsion refers to twisting of the spermatic cord, causing ischaemia of the testicle.
Testicular torsion results from inadequate fixation of the testis to the tunica vaginalis producing ischemia from reduced arterial inflow and venous outflow obstruction.
The prevalence of testicular torsion in adult patients hospitalized with acute scrotal pain is approximately 25 to 50 percent
Flu Vaccine Alert in Bangalore Karnatakaaddon Scans
As flu season approaches, health officials in Bangalore, Karnataka, are urging residents to get their flu vaccinations. The seasonal flu, while common, can lead to severe health complications, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions.
Dr. Vidisha Kumari, a leading epidemiologist in Bangalore, emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated. "The flu vaccine is our best defense against the influenza virus. It not only protects individuals but also helps prevent the spread of the virus in our communities," he says.
This year, the flu season is expected to coincide with a potential increase in other respiratory illnesses. The Karnataka Health Department has launched an awareness campaign highlighting the significance of flu vaccinations. They have set up multiple vaccination centers across Bangalore, making it convenient for residents to receive their shots.
To encourage widespread vaccination, the government is also collaborating with local schools, workplaces, and community centers to facilitate vaccination drives. Special attention is being given to ensuring that the vaccine is accessible to all, including marginalized communities who may have limited access to healthcare.
Residents are reminded that the flu vaccine is safe and effective. Common side effects are mild and may include soreness at the injection site, mild fever, or muscle aches. These side effects are generally short-lived and far less severe than the flu itself.
Healthcare providers are also stressing the importance of continuing COVID-19 precautions. Wearing masks, practicing good hand hygiene, and maintaining social distancing are still crucial, especially in crowded places.
Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated. Together, we can help keep Bangalore healthy and safe this flu season. For more information on vaccination centers and schedules, residents can visit the Karnataka Health Department’s official website or follow their social media pages.
Stay informed, stay safe, and get your flu shot today!
1. www.elsevierhealth.com/journals/jbmt
Bodywork and
Journal of
Movement Therapies
REHABILITATION AND CORE STABILITY
Pilates and the ‘‘powerhouse’’FII
Joseph E. Muscolino*, Simona Cipriani
7, Long Ridge Road, Redding, CT 06896, USA
Abstract Part one of this article described the key principles of the Pilates Method of
body conditioning and then went on to investigate in detail the principle of centering.
Further, the concept of the powerhouse was presented and described and the major
effects of Pilates exercises upon the powerhouse were analysed. The sum total of
these effects is to create what may be termed the Pilates Powerhouse Posture. Part
two relates the concept of having a strong powerhouse to the concept of core-
stabilization and describes some of the benefits of core-stabilization. While many
Pilates exercise may not seem to be directed toward affecting the powerhouse, the
powerhouse is always foremost in the mind of the Pilates instructor when the client is
performing each and every Pilates activity. A number of Pilates exercises are shown
and the focus upon the powerhouse is described for each one. These exercises are
divided into two categories: (1) those exercises whose sole purpose is to attain and
create the Pilates Powerhouse Posture by directly addressing and working the muscles
of the powerhouse, and (2) those exercises that may seem to be focusing on another
part of the body where motion is being directed to occur, but meanwhile the
underlying focus and intent is directed just as much, if not more so, toward the
stabilizing contractions of the muscles of the powerhouse.
& 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS
Pilates;
Powerhouse;
Core-stabilization;
Contrology;
Exercise
The powerhouse and core-stabilization
The powerhouse is the core of the body. Therefore,
having a strong powerhouse creates a stabilized
core from which muscles can contract. Most
muscles of the body can be said to have a proximal
attachment and a distal attachment; often these
proximal attachments are onto the spine. The
essence of the muscular system is that when a
muscle contracts, it creates a pulling force upon
both of its attachments that is directed toward its
center. Even though either attachment may move,
in most instances, movement of the distal attach-
ment is desired. For the distal attachment to move
efficiently and with maximal strength, the proximal
attachment must be fixed or stabilized. This is the
essence of core-stabilization: strengthen the core
of the body so that the proximal attachment is well
stabilized; as a result, the distal attachment can
move strongly and efficiently. When the core of the
body is weak and not well stabilized, not only will
the strength of the movement of the distal body
part be diluted, but damage will tend to occur
proximally as well (Chaitow and DeLany, 2002). This
is due to the fact that when the core is less stable,
the pulling force of the contracting muscle will
generate greater movement at the proximal
ARTICLE IN PRESS
*Corresponding author. Tel.: þ 1-203-938-3323; fax: þ 1-203-
938-9284.
E-mail addresses: jemredd@optonline.net (J.E. Muscolino),
Simona@cloud9.net (S. Cipriani).
URLs: http://www.learnmuscles.com,
http://www.artofcontrol.com.
1360-8592/$ - see front matter & 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/S1360-8592(03)00058-5
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (2004) 8, 122–130
2. attachment. In the case of the spine, these
repeated movements over time create a wear and
tear that can lead to increased stress upon the
joints and concomitant degeneration of the spinal
joints.
A strong and healthy powerhouse improves the
body’s health in another manner. The greater the
curves of the spine become, the less efficient the
spine becomes at bearing the weight of the body
through it. Further, as the curves of the spine
increase, the apexes of the curves become weaker
points in the chain of vertebrae; greater stress is
borne upon them and degeneration occurs more
rapidly. The effect of lengthening the spine
decreases the degree of spinal curves and counters
this tendency toward early degeneration.
The Pilates method of attaining the
Pilates Powerhouse Posture
Pilates exercises have one factor in common; they
all strengthen the powerhouse because all Pilates
exercises constantly work the powerhouse (Siler,
2000). Indeed, every Pilates exercise that is done,
even the exercises that seem to have nothing to do
with the powerhouse of the body, are done with a
focus and intent on working the powerhouse.
Brooke Siler calls this ‘‘Integrated Isolation’’ and
explains this concept as follows: ‘‘It is commonly
thought that the areas of the body that are in
motion during an exercise are the areas in which
the mind should be focused; this is known as
‘isolating’ a particular group of muscles. The
problem with this ideology is that it ignores the
other areas of the body that are not in motionyit
is most effective to think of focusing on stabilizing,
or anchoring, the area of the body that is not in
motion’’ (Siler, 2000, p. 21). This area that is not in
motion that the Pilates method focuses upon is the
powerhouse. This concept is very important if one
is to understand and appreciate what is happening
during a Pilates workout. For example, it is too
simple to view a Pilates exercise that is being done
in which the arms are the only body parts moving
and believe that the only reason for doing this
exercise is to strengthen the arms (see Fig. 1).
This misjudgement of the underlying purpose of
this exercise is easy to make because the average
lay person, as well as a number of professionals in
the health and fitness field, have become incul-
cated by the fitness world’s focus on ‘‘isolating’’
certain muscles and/or muscle groups that are
moving during an exercise. The result is that focus
has been lost on the other muscles that are working
as stabilizers, the Pilates Powerhouse Muscles. It is
these key muscles at the core of the body that
ultimately prove to be the key to health and
stability.
ARTICLE IN PRESS
(a)
(b)
Figure 1 The Hundred: (a) demonstrates the starting
position of The Hundred; (b) illustrates the upward
movement of the arms that is done during The Hundred.
The Hundred is an indirect Pilates Mat exercise for the
powerhouse. In The Hundred, the client moves her arms
up and down sequentially (between the position seen in
(b) and the position seen in (a). These movements of
flexion and extension of the arms at the shoulder joints
are done while maintaining a static posture of neck
flexion at the spinal joints and thigh flexion at the hip
joints. These arm movements are repeated 100 times,
hence the name. This is a Pilates mat exercise that is
usually done at the beginning of a workout. While the
intent seems to be to concentrically and eccentrically
work the sagittal plane muscles of the arm at the
shoulder joint (along with isometrically working the
anterior neck and hip joint muscles, as well as being a
cardiovascular warm-up); strict attention is always being
paid to isometrically maintain the Pilates powerhouse
posture. Toward this end, the focus is on isometrically
engaging the abdominals, pressing the navel to the spine
and lengthening up in a cephalad direction. This exercise
may also be done using apparatus, and there are
alternate versions of the hundred that are easier to
perform.
Pilates and the ‘‘powerhouse’’FII 123
3. ARTICLEINPRESS
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 2 The Roll Up: (a) demonstrates the starting position of The Roll Up; (b) shows the next step in which the arms are brought to a vertical position; (c) and (d)
illustrate the roll up itself. The second phase of the exercise would be to return to the starting position. The Roll Up is a direct Pilates Mat exercise for the powerhouse.
In the first phase of The Roll Up, the client concentrically contracts her abdominal muscles to bring her upper body over her lower extremities; this action is flexion of
the trunk at the spinal joints (anterior tilt of the pelvis at the hip joints is also occurring). In the second phase of the exercise, the client eccentrically contracts her
abdominal muscles to carefully control her descent back to the mat; this action is extension of the trunk at the spinal joints. This exercise is similar in nature to the
traditional sit-up/curl-up. However, beyond the simple objective of bringing the upper body toward the lower extremities, the client focuses on maintaining the Pilates
powerhouse posture of keeping the navel to the spine. On the way back down, the client is careful to lower her body back to the mat ‘‘one vertebra at a time’’.
Additionally, keeping the arms parallel and the head straight is necessary as part of the precise control of this exercise.
124J.E.Muscolino,S.Cipriani
4. ARTICLEINPRESS
(a) (b)
(c)
Figure 3 Flat Back on the Short Box Series: (a) demonstrates the starting position of The Flat Back exercise; (b) and (c) demonstrate the trunk being brought in a
posterior direction with a straight (flat) back. The second phase of the exercise would be to return to the starting position. The Flat Back on the Short Box is a direct
Pilates Apparatus exercise for the powerhouse. It is done on the apparatus called the Reformer. The actual movement is at the hip joints. During the first phase on the
way down, the client posteriorly tilts her pelvis at the hip joint (working her hip flexors eccentrically); during the second phase on the way up she anteriorly tilts her
pelvis at the hip joint (working her hip flexors concentrically). Just as in old-fashioned straight-leg sit-ups, the anterior abdominals must isometrically contract to hold
her trunk straight (since gravity would otherwise collapse her trunk into extension). This is another direct powerhouse exercise. However, above and beyond the effort
expended by the anterior abdominals to keep the trunk straight, the focus is on maintaining the powerhouse posture of navel to the spine and up. Indeed, a critical
aspect of this exercise is to constantly be reaching up to the ceiling, lengthening the spine as the movement occurs.
Pilatesandthe‘‘powerhouse’’FII125
5. ARTICLEINPRESS
(a) (b)
(c)
Figure 4 Swan Dive: (a) demonstrates the starting and ending position of The Swan Dive; (b) shows the first step in which the back is arched posteriorly with the knees
bent; (c) then illustrates the second step in which the body is completely straightened out. The Swan Dive is a direct Pilates Apparatus exercise for the powerhouse. It is
done on an apparatus called the Ladder Barrel. The main movement occurring here is extension and then flexion of the trunk at the spinal joints. Therefore, the client
must work spinal extensor muscles concentrically to arch her back (step 1), and then work the spinal extensor muscles eccentrically to control her descent to the straight
position (step 2) and then to control her return to the starting position. Doing this directly works the powerhouse by strengthening the posterior abdominal muscles.
Further, movements of the upper and lower extremities are also occurring which increase the difficulty of this exercise. The entire exercise must be done in a smooth,
precise and controlled manner; the powerhouse posture must be maintained with the focus on lengthening the spine up toward the ceiling.
126J.E.Muscolino,S.Cipriani
6. When assessing the wide breadth of Pilates
exercises, two broad categories may be viewed:
category one includes those exercises whose sole
purpose is to attain and create the Pilates Power-
house Posture by directly addressing and working
the muscles of the powerhouse; category two
includes those exercises that may seem to be
ARTICLE IN PRESS
(a)
(b)
Figure 5 Teaser 1: (a) demonstrates the first part of The
Teaser in which the thighs are raised; (b) illustrates the
second part in which the trunk is flexed upward with
the upper extremities brought to a position parallel to
the lower extremities. The second phase of the exercise
would be to return to the starting position. The Teaser 1
is a direct Pilates Mat exercise for the powerhouse. The
client begins flat on her back and then flexes her thighs at
the hip joints to a 45-degree angle. She then rolls up to a
‘‘V’’ position, with her hands reaching toward her toes,
all the time keeping the navel to the spine and
lengthening upwards. She then returns to the mat,
controlling her descent. To accomplish this exercise,
concentric and then eccentric contraction of her anterior
abdominal musculature is clearly required. The added
difficulty is to create these movements with the lower
extremities held at 45 degrees of flexion and the upper
extremities held straight and perfectly parallel to the
lower extremities. Of course, the powerhouse posture of
navel to the spine and lengthening upwards along with
accomplishment of this exercise in a smooth, precise and
controlled fashion is as critically important, in fact more
critically important, than the actual accomplishment of
raising and lowering the trunk with parallel extremities.
(a)
(b)
Figure 6 Footwork: (a) demonstrates the starting
position of The Footwork Exercise; (b) illustrates the
extended position attained by pushing against the bar
with one’s feet. The second phase of the exercise would
be to return to the starting position. The Footwork
exercise is an indirect Pilates Apparatus exercise for the
powerhouse. It is done on an apparatus called the
Reformer. In the initial phase of the exercise, the client
pushes her feet against a bar. The force that she creates
pushes her body away from the bar. This movement
occurs against the resistance of springs that are attached
to the board that her body is lying on. In the second phase
of the exercise, she then returns to the initial starting
position in a controlled manner (resisting the force of the
springs to pull her back to the starting position). This
exercise requires concentric contraction of knee and hip
joint extensors for the initial phase and then eccentric
contraction of the same muscles for the second ‘return’
phase of the exercise. Again, the apparent purpose of
this exercise seems to be to strengthen extensors of the
hip and knee joint. However, constant attention is being
paid to the proper maintenance of the powerhouse
posture during these lower extremity movements, by
focusing on lengthening the spine by bringing the navel
toward the spine and up toward the head. There are a
series of these footwork exercises that change the
position of the foot upon the bar so that the toes, arches
or heels are in contact with the bar.
Pilates and the ‘‘powerhouse’’FII 127
7. ARTICLE IN PRESS
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 7 Chest Expansion: (a) demonstrates the starting position of The Chest Expansion exercise; (b) illustrates the
first step of pulling the bar down with the arms. (c) and (d) illustrate the final step of turning the head and neck first to
one side and then to the other. The second phase of the exercise would be to return to the starting position. The Chest
Expansion exercise is an indirect Pilates Apparatus exercise for the powerhouse. It is done on an apparatus called the
Cadillac. In the first step of this exercise, the client pulls a bar down toward the body with both arms. Given the
resistance of the springs to which the bar is attached, this movement requires concentric contraction of the extensors
of the arms at the shoulder joints. In the second step, the client rotates the head and neck in both directions while
holding down the bar; this step both works the rotators of the head and neck concentrically and stretches the same
muscles. The second phase of the exercise requires bringing the bar back to the initial starting position in a slow,
controlled manner; this exercises the shoulder joint extensors eccentrically. As in other exercises of this category, the
main purpose of this exercise is not the surface movements of the shoulder and neck joints. The main focus is to
maintain the Pilates Powerhouse Posture, while forces are being transmitted to the trunk by the bar attached to
springs. As the bar is moved in the first and last phases of this exercise, these transmitted forces change requiring fine
adjustments for the powerhouse muscles. Thus, this core stability exercise is more dynamic than the previously
demonstrated exercises.
128 J.E. Muscolino, S. Cipriani
8. focusing on another part of the body where motion
is being directed to occur, but meanwhile the
underlying focus and intent is directed just as
much, if not more so, toward the stabilizing
contractions of the muscles of the powerhouse,
and therefore, maintenance of the Pilates Power-
house Posture. Generally, category one incorpo-
rates those exercises that create concentric and
eccentric (and isometric) contractions of power-
house muscles while category two incorporates
those exercises that create isometric contractions
of powerhouse muscles, while concentric and
eccentric (and occasionally isometric) contractions
are occurring in other regions of the body. Category
one exercises may be termed Direct Powerhouse
Exercises and examples of these are seen in Figs. 2–
5. Category two exercises may be termed Indirect
Powerhouse Exercises and examples of these are
seen in Figs. 1, 6 and 7. Figure 8 is an example of an
exercise that is both an indirect and direct exercise
for the powerhouse.
Regardless of which type of exercise is being
done, the focus of the Pilates instructor is always
upon the proper posture of the client’s power-
house. Even slight deviations from it, while doing
an exercise that is seemingly distant from the
powerhouse, will elicit admonitions for fine adjust-
ments in core posture from the Pilates instructor. It
is largely for this reason that Joseph Pilates felt
that precision was so very important. The precision
is aimed at maintaining the proper Pilates power-
house posture at all times.
The sharp and precise focus of the Pilates method
is to require the client to use a concentrated mind
to precisely control this all-important posture of
the powerhouse, all the time breathing to maintain
ARTICLE IN PRESS
(a) (b) (c)
Figure 8 Press-Up Bottom: (a) demonstrates the starting position of The Press-Up Bottom Exercise; (b) illustrates the
first step of raising the body up toward the ceiling. (c) Illustrates the final step of arching the body back into extension.
The second phase of the exercise would be to return to the starting position by pushing the pedal back down. The Press-
Up Bottom exercise is both an indirect and direct Pilates Apparatus exercise for the powerhouse. It is done on an
apparatus called the Electric Chair. In the first phase of the exercise, the client begins on a pedal that is attached to
springs. The first step requires the client to concentrically contract the extensors of the elbow joint, pushing the body
up into the air; this movement is aided by the tension of the springs. While this step of the Press-Up Bottom exercise
may appear to be simply a vertical version of a push-up exercise aimed at strengthening elbow joint extensors, the
Pilates instructor is constantly looking for the client to hold the Pilates Powerhouse Posture by pulling the navel to the
spine and lengthening the spine upwards. Pilates instructors often instruct their clients to think of the lifting force for
the body as coming from the powerhouse, in effect marshaling the force from the powerhouse to ‘levitate’ their body.
This first step could be considered to be an indirect exercise for the powerhouse. The second step requires the client to
concentrically contract the extensors of the spine, creating extension of the trunk at the spinal joints as well as anterior
tilt of the pelvis at the lumbosacral joint. As such, this step is a direct powerhouse exercise, specifically a concentric
strengthening exercise of the spinal extensors. The return phase of this exercise requires the client to precisely
maintain the powerhouse posture while returning to the starting position, pushing down against the springs of the
pedal.
Pilates and the ‘‘powerhouse’’FII 129
9. proper blood flow to bathe the tissues with
nutrients and drain away the waste products of
metabolism. Add onto this the proper flow of one
exercise to the next during a Pilates session and we
have all six key components of Pilates woven
together into one cohesive systematic method.
Through a mixture of exercises focused directly
upon the core of the body along with continual
isometric stabilization of the core powerhouse
during every exercise, the Pilates method of body
conditioning obtains the results that it seeks, a
lengthened, strengthened and flexible spine, both
in a static postural sense and a dynamic functional
sense.
References
Chaitow, L., DeLany, J., 2002. Clinical Applications of Neuro-
muscular Techniques. The Lower Body, Vol. 2. Churchill
Livingstone, London, 2002.
Siler, B., 2000. The Pilates Body. Broadway Books, New York, NY.
Dr. Joseph E. Muscolino has been a Chir-
opractor and an Anatomy, Physiology and
Kinesiology instructor for 17 years. He is the
author of The Muscular System Manual,
published by Mosby of Elsevier Science.
Simona Cipriani has been an instructor of the
Authentic Pilates method for 9 years and is
owner of the Art of Control, a Pilates studio in
New York. She is also a professional dancer
and licensed Massage Therapist.
ARTICLE IN PRESS
130 J.E. Muscolino, S. Cipriani