Pilates stance is a powerful position. To achieve it, you must activate the strong gluteal muscles of the buttocks, draw the pelvic floor up, pull the abdominals in and up, and hug the inner thighs together. It works very well for bringing attention the midline of the body.
Pilates stance will help you feel your connection to your sit bones, and the connection between the sit bones and the heels -- which is a very powerful line of energy. Some people also find that working in this slightly turned out position help relieve over-activity of the hip flexors in some exercises.
Pilates stance is used in sitting, lying, and standing exercises. When one stands in Pilates stance, the body weight falls evenly through the feet. It does not get focused in the heels. Other points of good posture are in place as well. If one is seen from the side, a straight line could be drawn up from the ankle, to the hip, shoulder, and ear.
Exercises that Use Pilates Stance:
Pilates stance appears in both Pilates mat and equipment exercises. Try some of the following exercises using Pilates stance. You might have been introduced to some of these using a parallel leg position, which is fine, but explore the difference with Pilates stance:(warm up first)
