LATEST STOTT PILATES WRITTEN 2026/2027
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
PLUS RATIONALES
CORE DOMAINS
Five Basic Principles
Anatomy and Kinesiology
Matwork Repertoire
Equipment-Based Exercises (Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels)
Teaching Skills and Programming
INTRODUCTION
The STOTT PILATES Written Examination assesses the competency of candidates
seeking certification as STOTT PILATES instructors. This comprehensive
assessment evaluates knowledge across critical domains including the Five Basic
Principles, functional anatomy, matwork and equipment repertoire, and teaching
methodology. The examination consists of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank,
matching, and muscle identification questions, taking approximately two to three
hours to complete . The exam tests knowledge of muscle origin, insertion and
action, recognition of muscle diagrams, concentric/eccentric/isometric
contractions, movements and anatomical descriptions, ideal postural alignment,
exercise modifications, and equipment setup . Successful completion validates the
candidate's readiness to teach STOTT PILATES methodology safely and
effectively.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which of the following correctly lists the Five Basic Principles of STOTT
PILATES?
A. Centering, concentration, control, precision, and flow
B. Breathing, pelvic placement, rib cage placement, scapular movement and
stabilization, and head and cervical placement
C. Alignment, core strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance
D. Breathing, neutral spine, pelvic placement, thoracic mobility, and head
alignment
B. Breathing, pelvic placement, rib cage placement, scapular movement and
stabilization, and head and cervical placement
RATIONALE: The official STOTT PILATES Five Basic Principles are
Breathing; Pelvic placement; Rib cage placement; Scapular movement and
stabilization; and Head and cervical placement. Option A lists the classical Pilates
principles associated with Joseph Pilates' traditional teaching, not the STOTT
PILATES principles .
Question 2
What is the correct order for teaching the Five Basic Principles during the practical
exam?
A. Pelvic placement, Breathing, Rib cage placement, Scapular stabilization, Head
and cervical placement
B. Breathing, Pelvic placement, Rib cage placement, Scapular movement and
stabilization, Head and cervical placement
C. Breathing, Rib cage placement, Pelvic placement, Head and cervical placement,
Scapular stabilization
D. Scapular stabilization, Breathing, Pelvic placement, Rib cage placement, Head
and cervical placement
, B. Breathing, Pelvic placement, Rib cage placement, Scapular movement and
stabilization, Head and cervical placement
RATIONALE: STOTT PILATES instruction introduces the Five Basic
Principles in this specific order: Breathing is taught first because it sets the
foundation for all subsequent trunk stabilization; pelvic placement follows because
the pelvis is the foundation of spinal alignment; rib cage placement relates to
thoracic position and breathing; scapular stabilization addresses the upper body;
and head and cervical placement completes the alignment chain .
Question 3
What is the emphasis of the STOTT PILATES breathing pattern?
A. Belly breathing to relax the abdominal wall
B. Three-dimensional breath, especially into the posterior and lateral aspects of the
rib cage
C. Maximal clavicular elevation to increase lung capacity
D. Inhale through the mouth to expand the chest maximally
B. Three-dimensional breath, especially into the posterior and lateral aspects of
the rib cage
RATIONALE: The STOTT PILATES breathing pattern emphasizes 3-D breath,
especially into the posterior and lateral aspects of the rib cage, because these tend
to be under-utilized areas. Inhalation is through the nose, and exhalation is
through pursed lips . Exhaling deeply can help activate the deep support muscles
by engaging the transversus abdominis, which stabilizes the lumbo-pelvic region .
Question 4
What is the definition of neutral pelvic placement in STOTT PILATES?
A. A slight posterior pelvic tilt with slight lumbar flexion
B. The natural lordotic curve of the lumbar spine is present, with ASIS and pubic
symphysis lying approximately in a horizontal plane
C. A forced posterior pelvic tilt sustained by maximal gluteal contraction
D. An anterior pelvic tilt with hyperextension of the lumbar spine
, B. The natural lordotic curve of the lumbar spine is present, with ASIS and
pubic symphysis lying approximately in a horizontal plane
RATIONALE: In neutral pelvic placement, the natural lordotic curve of the
lumbar spine is present. The ASIS and pubic symphysis lie approximately in a
horizontal plane drawn parallel to the floor when lying supine. Neutral promotes
good shock absorption and efficient movement patterns throughout the body and is
usually used during closed kinetic chain activities .
Question 5
What is the imprinted pelvic position in STOTT PILATES?
A. A slight posterior pelvic tilt with slight lumbar flexion
B. The natural lordotic curve of the lumbar spine is present
C. An anterior pelvic tilt with hyperextension
D. A neutral spine with no pelvic tilt
A. A slight posterior pelvic tilt with slight lumbar flexion
RATIONALE: The imprinted position is a slight posterior pelvic tilt with slight
lumbar flexion. It is often used during open kinetic chain activities (when the feet
are off the floor). Imprint involves shortening of the obliques without activation of
the glutes .
Question 6
Which muscle is the primary initiator of the Imprint position?
A. Rectus abdominis
B. Gluteus maximus
C. Obliques (internal and external)
D. Iliopsoas
C. Obliques (internal and external)
RATIONALE: STOTT PILATES teaches that the Imprint should be achieved by
lengthening the lumbar spine via the engagement of the obliques contracting
concentrically, not by squeezing the gluteals or over-using the rectus abdominis .
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
PLUS RATIONALES
CORE DOMAINS
Five Basic Principles
Anatomy and Kinesiology
Matwork Repertoire
Equipment-Based Exercises (Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels)
Teaching Skills and Programming
INTRODUCTION
The STOTT PILATES Written Examination assesses the competency of candidates
seeking certification as STOTT PILATES instructors. This comprehensive
assessment evaluates knowledge across critical domains including the Five Basic
Principles, functional anatomy, matwork and equipment repertoire, and teaching
methodology. The examination consists of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank,
matching, and muscle identification questions, taking approximately two to three
hours to complete . The exam tests knowledge of muscle origin, insertion and
action, recognition of muscle diagrams, concentric/eccentric/isometric
contractions, movements and anatomical descriptions, ideal postural alignment,
exercise modifications, and equipment setup . Successful completion validates the
candidate's readiness to teach STOTT PILATES methodology safely and
effectively.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which of the following correctly lists the Five Basic Principles of STOTT
PILATES?
A. Centering, concentration, control, precision, and flow
B. Breathing, pelvic placement, rib cage placement, scapular movement and
stabilization, and head and cervical placement
C. Alignment, core strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance
D. Breathing, neutral spine, pelvic placement, thoracic mobility, and head
alignment
B. Breathing, pelvic placement, rib cage placement, scapular movement and
stabilization, and head and cervical placement
RATIONALE: The official STOTT PILATES Five Basic Principles are
Breathing; Pelvic placement; Rib cage placement; Scapular movement and
stabilization; and Head and cervical placement. Option A lists the classical Pilates
principles associated with Joseph Pilates' traditional teaching, not the STOTT
PILATES principles .
Question 2
What is the correct order for teaching the Five Basic Principles during the practical
exam?
A. Pelvic placement, Breathing, Rib cage placement, Scapular stabilization, Head
and cervical placement
B. Breathing, Pelvic placement, Rib cage placement, Scapular movement and
stabilization, Head and cervical placement
C. Breathing, Rib cage placement, Pelvic placement, Head and cervical placement,
Scapular stabilization
D. Scapular stabilization, Breathing, Pelvic placement, Rib cage placement, Head
and cervical placement
, B. Breathing, Pelvic placement, Rib cage placement, Scapular movement and
stabilization, Head and cervical placement
RATIONALE: STOTT PILATES instruction introduces the Five Basic
Principles in this specific order: Breathing is taught first because it sets the
foundation for all subsequent trunk stabilization; pelvic placement follows because
the pelvis is the foundation of spinal alignment; rib cage placement relates to
thoracic position and breathing; scapular stabilization addresses the upper body;
and head and cervical placement completes the alignment chain .
Question 3
What is the emphasis of the STOTT PILATES breathing pattern?
A. Belly breathing to relax the abdominal wall
B. Three-dimensional breath, especially into the posterior and lateral aspects of the
rib cage
C. Maximal clavicular elevation to increase lung capacity
D. Inhale through the mouth to expand the chest maximally
B. Three-dimensional breath, especially into the posterior and lateral aspects of
the rib cage
RATIONALE: The STOTT PILATES breathing pattern emphasizes 3-D breath,
especially into the posterior and lateral aspects of the rib cage, because these tend
to be under-utilized areas. Inhalation is through the nose, and exhalation is
through pursed lips . Exhaling deeply can help activate the deep support muscles
by engaging the transversus abdominis, which stabilizes the lumbo-pelvic region .
Question 4
What is the definition of neutral pelvic placement in STOTT PILATES?
A. A slight posterior pelvic tilt with slight lumbar flexion
B. The natural lordotic curve of the lumbar spine is present, with ASIS and pubic
symphysis lying approximately in a horizontal plane
C. A forced posterior pelvic tilt sustained by maximal gluteal contraction
D. An anterior pelvic tilt with hyperextension of the lumbar spine
, B. The natural lordotic curve of the lumbar spine is present, with ASIS and
pubic symphysis lying approximately in a horizontal plane
RATIONALE: In neutral pelvic placement, the natural lordotic curve of the
lumbar spine is present. The ASIS and pubic symphysis lie approximately in a
horizontal plane drawn parallel to the floor when lying supine. Neutral promotes
good shock absorption and efficient movement patterns throughout the body and is
usually used during closed kinetic chain activities .
Question 5
What is the imprinted pelvic position in STOTT PILATES?
A. A slight posterior pelvic tilt with slight lumbar flexion
B. The natural lordotic curve of the lumbar spine is present
C. An anterior pelvic tilt with hyperextension
D. A neutral spine with no pelvic tilt
A. A slight posterior pelvic tilt with slight lumbar flexion
RATIONALE: The imprinted position is a slight posterior pelvic tilt with slight
lumbar flexion. It is often used during open kinetic chain activities (when the feet
are off the floor). Imprint involves shortening of the obliques without activation of
the glutes .
Question 6
Which muscle is the primary initiator of the Imprint position?
A. Rectus abdominis
B. Gluteus maximus
C. Obliques (internal and external)
D. Iliopsoas
C. Obliques (internal and external)
RATIONALE: STOTT PILATES teaches that the Imprint should be achieved by
lengthening the lumbar spine via the engagement of the obliques contracting
concentrically, not by squeezing the gluteals or over-using the rectus abdominis .
