Mat Pilates Study Guide - Balanced Body Verified Exam Questions and
Answers Latest update 2026/2027
Question:
What are the three levels of observation an instructor can use to analyze a client's movement patterns?
Answer:
global, integrated planar and local
Question:
When observing vertical alignment from the side, what key bony landmarks do you want to line up
with the plumb line of gravity?
Answer:
Tip of earlobe, top of shoulder, center of rib cage, high point of illiac creast, mid-point of the lateral
side of the knee, slightly in front of the lateral malleolus of the ankle
Question:
What muscle imbalances are usually associated with thoracic kyphosis?
Answer:
Thoracic extensors and scapular stabilizers are weak or long, anterior chest muscles are tight or short
Question:
When training clients what key factors are important to consider when planning our exercise program?
Answer:
Current fitness level, age, quality of motor control and learning style
Question:
The 80/20 rule in training applies to what philosophy?
Answer:
When training, 80% of a session is dedicated to refining skills the client has already learned and 20%
to learn new skills.
Question:
What are the four elements of Trunk Integration?
Answer:
Breathing, inner unit, outer units, spinal mobility
, Question:
On an inhale, the diaphragm contracts and the dome moves
Answer:
downward, drawing air in
Question:
Inhaling generally helps to facilitate what spinal movement
Answer:
extension
Question:
The inner unity or core includes what muscles
Answer:
Pelvic floor, transverse abdominis, multifidi and diaphragm
Question:
What foundational exercises bring awareness to breath in relationship to the transversus abdominis
Answer:
Fingertip abdominals All four abdominals
Question:
In a normal, healthy body, the inner unit of the core fires
Answer:
Reflexively in reaction to postural changes and load being placed on the spine, Consciously when
needed for support, and helps to propel the body forward.
Question:
Supine exercises which teach lumbopelvic stability
Answer:
marching, toe taps, dead bugs
Question:
Which exercise is a good way to teach lumbopelvic stability in prone
Answer:
swimming
Answers Latest update 2026/2027
Question:
What are the three levels of observation an instructor can use to analyze a client's movement patterns?
Answer:
global, integrated planar and local
Question:
When observing vertical alignment from the side, what key bony landmarks do you want to line up
with the plumb line of gravity?
Answer:
Tip of earlobe, top of shoulder, center of rib cage, high point of illiac creast, mid-point of the lateral
side of the knee, slightly in front of the lateral malleolus of the ankle
Question:
What muscle imbalances are usually associated with thoracic kyphosis?
Answer:
Thoracic extensors and scapular stabilizers are weak or long, anterior chest muscles are tight or short
Question:
When training clients what key factors are important to consider when planning our exercise program?
Answer:
Current fitness level, age, quality of motor control and learning style
Question:
The 80/20 rule in training applies to what philosophy?
Answer:
When training, 80% of a session is dedicated to refining skills the client has already learned and 20%
to learn new skills.
Question:
What are the four elements of Trunk Integration?
Answer:
Breathing, inner unit, outer units, spinal mobility
, Question:
On an inhale, the diaphragm contracts and the dome moves
Answer:
downward, drawing air in
Question:
Inhaling generally helps to facilitate what spinal movement
Answer:
extension
Question:
The inner unity or core includes what muscles
Answer:
Pelvic floor, transverse abdominis, multifidi and diaphragm
Question:
What foundational exercises bring awareness to breath in relationship to the transversus abdominis
Answer:
Fingertip abdominals All four abdominals
Question:
In a normal, healthy body, the inner unit of the core fires
Answer:
Reflexively in reaction to postural changes and load being placed on the spine, Consciously when
needed for support, and helps to propel the body forward.
Question:
Supine exercises which teach lumbopelvic stability
Answer:
marching, toe taps, dead bugs
Question:
Which exercise is a good way to teach lumbopelvic stability in prone
Answer:
swimming
