Commonly Asked Questions: The Mystery Behind Spine Stretch Forward

Ang, I am reading the Pilates Style Mag nov/dec issue & pg 50 spine stretch forward does not roll back on the pelvis like we did at the workshop. Which way is correct & safe to do in class? I am confused on this exercise again. Debi Frey, PTA Great Falls, MT

Thanks for your question Debi as this is an exercise that is frequently confusing to many Pilates Practioners and students alike.

The key to Spine Stretch Forward is to NOT hinge/tip forward at the waist, but to maintain a rounded back and stable pelvis to ensure a true stretch throughout the spine vs turning it into a hamstring stretch. In Pilatesstyle Magazine (Nov/Dec 2011) on pg 50 you will notice they mention "keep your deep back muscles (which would be Quadratus Lumborum and deep spinal extensors) engaged". The model does not have very much lumbar spine flexibility so that can be confusing if you are trying to assess the movement visually. The purpose is spinal stretch and pelvic girdle stability. In order to achieve this two fold, you must deeply engage the abdominals to keep from "hinging" forward at the waist while reaching forward over the toes (thus the slight posterior pelvic tilt to initiate the movement.)

I would reword the passage in Pilatesstyle as they emphasize engaging the deep back muscles but don't clarify what they mean by "engage". We are trying to stretch the spinal extensors and thus must deeply flex them to achieve this goal vs keeping them extended and in their active state.

On a side note, the Classic Version of "Spine Stretch" in RETURN TO LIFE THROUGH Contrology, by Joe Pilates, he does hinge at the waist and adds a forward stretch with 3 pulses that take you further forward into the stretch. So, we need to be very clear to our clients as to the version we are asking them to perform and what the overall purpose behind the exercise is.

JOE'S CLASSIC VERSION OF "SPINE STRETCH":
1. Spread legs as wide apart as possible. Draw toes upward and backward.
2. Rest palms flat on mat, with outstretched arms and chin to chest. Begin reaching forward with three (3) successive movements as far forward as possible with the abdomin "drawn" in.

NEW! Commonly asked questions! "How to deal with overactive hip flexors"

Hi Christina,

I hope you are enjoying summer!

Yes, it is common that clients will tend towards gripping their hip flexors. Initiating from the deep pelvic floor and transverses abs prior to movement will help. This takes patience and a continual process from you of educating them on how their body needs to engage before they ever move.

Cueing from the posterior side of the body will be key as well. Heels on the bar for footwork and curing to fully stretch the leg in extension so that the insertion points of the hamstrings, all the way up at the sits bones, engage fully. Sometimes we get too caught up with not wanting to "lock" into a client's knee joints and we lose the ability for them to fully straighten their legs.

I hope this helps!

Angelie Melzer, Owner
Team Pilates
www.team-pilates.com
888-576-0340

On Jul 25, 2011, at 9:39 PM,christinasauerpilates@gmail.com wrote:

Hi Angelie,

Thanks for the information. I wanted to ask you if you can help me with wrapping my brain around the hip flexors. I have a few clients that tend to be grippy. Does that eventually go away with constant cueing?

Also, I have a client who comes to class. She does 2 reformer classes a week plus a mat/springboard. She has recently gone in to her massage and PT for psoas work. I am modifying and decrease resistance for the hip flexors but is this normal. Could there be excessive wear to certain muscles if always used?

Since we do have a lot of exercises where inevitably those hip flexors kick in, how can I approach this? I'm trying to read anatomy trains and see if I can see how to approach this.

Your expertise is always appreciated.

Thank you

Christina

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