STOTT PILATES Written Exam Questions and
Answers| Latest Update| Pass Guaranteed
STOTT PILATES Written Exam
Verified Practice Questions & Official Exam Requirements (2026/2027 Update)
SECTION 1: THE FIVE BASIC PRINCIPLES (Questions 1–20)
1. Which sequence correctly lists the STOTT PILATES Five Basic Principles in the
order traditionally taught?
A) Breathing, Pelvic placement, Rib cage placement, Scapular movement &
stabilization, Head & cervical placement
B) Pelvic placement, Breathing, Head & cervical placement, Scapular stabilization,
Rib cage placement
C) Breathing, Rib cage placement, Pelvic placement, Head & cervical placement,
Scapular stabilization
D) Pelvic placement, Rib cage placement, Scapular stabilization, Breathing, Head &
cervical placement
Correct Answer: A. Breathing, Pelvic placement, Rib cage placement, Scapular
movement & stabilization, Head & 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 proximal anchor.
2. Which breathing pattern is emphasized during STOTT PILATES?
,A) Inhale through the mouth, exhale through the nose
B) Inhale through the nose directing breath into the lateral and posterior aspects
of the ribcage; exhale through pursed lips allowing ribs to soften and close in and
down
C) Inhale through the nose and forcefully draw the navel to the spine
D) Hold breath during exertion
Correct Answer: B. Inhale through the nose directing breath into the lateral and
posterior aspects of the ribcage; exhale through pursed lips allowing ribs to
soften and close in and down. Rationale: STOTT PILATES uses a 3-D
lateral/posterior costal breath. Nasal inhalation expands the ribcage laterally and
posteriorly, while oral exhalation allows ribs to close down and in, engaging the
deep abdominals.
3. In neutral pelvic placement, what is the relationship of the ASIS and pubic
symphysis when lying supine?
A) ASIS is higher than the pubic symphysis
B) The triangle formed by the ASIS and symphysis pubis should be parallel to the
mat
C) Pubic symphysis is significantly higher than ASIS
D) There is no specific relationship
Correct Answer: B. The triangle formed by the ASIS and symphysis pubis should
be parallel to the mat. Rationale: In neutral pelvic placement, the natural lordotic
curve of the lumbar spine is present, and the ASIS and pubic symphysis lie
approximately in a horizontal plane parallel to the floor when supine.
4. What is the difference between "neutral" and "imprinted" pelvic placement?
A) Neutral has a posterior tilt; imprint has an anterior tilt
B) Neutral maintains the natural lumbar curve; imprint is a slight posterior pelvic
tilt with slight lumbar flexion
, C) They are the same position
D) Neutral is used for open chain; imprint for closed chain
Correct Answer: B. Neutral maintains the natural lumbar curve; imprint is a
slight posterior pelvic tilt with slight lumbar flexion. Rationale: Neutral promotes
good shock absorption and is usually used during closed kinetic chain activities.
Imprint involves shortening of obliques without gluteal activation and is often used
during open kinetic chain activities.
5. When the feet leave the floor (table-top, 90/90), which pelvic placement does
STOTT PILATES default to?
A) Neutral spine
B) Imprint, because the load on the lumbar spine increases and obliques must
stabilize against shear
C) Forced posterior tilt with gluteal contraction
D) Extension to counter thoracic kyphosis
Correct Answer: B. Imprint, because the load on the lumbar spine increases and
obliques must stabilize against shear. Rationale: STOTT teaches that whenever
the feet leave the support of the floor, the load on the lumbar spine increases and
the pelvis is placed in a slight imprint to recruit the obliques and prevent hip flexors
from pulling the lumbar into extension.
6. What is the ideal scapular position in STOTT PILATES?
A) Pinched together forcefully
B) Elevated toward the ears
C) Flat on the rib cage, gliding without winging
D) Protracted forward as far as possible
Correct Answer: C. Flat on the rib cage, gliding without winging. Rationale: The
scapulae should lie flat on the rib cage and glide without winging. Stabilizing the
scapulae is necessary during the initiation of every exercise.
Answers| Latest Update| Pass Guaranteed
STOTT PILATES Written Exam
Verified Practice Questions & Official Exam Requirements (2026/2027 Update)
SECTION 1: THE FIVE BASIC PRINCIPLES (Questions 1–20)
1. Which sequence correctly lists the STOTT PILATES Five Basic Principles in the
order traditionally taught?
A) Breathing, Pelvic placement, Rib cage placement, Scapular movement &
stabilization, Head & cervical placement
B) Pelvic placement, Breathing, Head & cervical placement, Scapular stabilization,
Rib cage placement
C) Breathing, Rib cage placement, Pelvic placement, Head & cervical placement,
Scapular stabilization
D) Pelvic placement, Rib cage placement, Scapular stabilization, Breathing, Head &
cervical placement
Correct Answer: A. Breathing, Pelvic placement, Rib cage placement, Scapular
movement & stabilization, Head & 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 proximal anchor.
2. Which breathing pattern is emphasized during STOTT PILATES?
,A) Inhale through the mouth, exhale through the nose
B) Inhale through the nose directing breath into the lateral and posterior aspects
of the ribcage; exhale through pursed lips allowing ribs to soften and close in and
down
C) Inhale through the nose and forcefully draw the navel to the spine
D) Hold breath during exertion
Correct Answer: B. Inhale through the nose directing breath into the lateral and
posterior aspects of the ribcage; exhale through pursed lips allowing ribs to
soften and close in and down. Rationale: STOTT PILATES uses a 3-D
lateral/posterior costal breath. Nasal inhalation expands the ribcage laterally and
posteriorly, while oral exhalation allows ribs to close down and in, engaging the
deep abdominals.
3. In neutral pelvic placement, what is the relationship of the ASIS and pubic
symphysis when lying supine?
A) ASIS is higher than the pubic symphysis
B) The triangle formed by the ASIS and symphysis pubis should be parallel to the
mat
C) Pubic symphysis is significantly higher than ASIS
D) There is no specific relationship
Correct Answer: B. The triangle formed by the ASIS and symphysis pubis should
be parallel to the mat. Rationale: In neutral pelvic placement, the natural lordotic
curve of the lumbar spine is present, and the ASIS and pubic symphysis lie
approximately in a horizontal plane parallel to the floor when supine.
4. What is the difference between "neutral" and "imprinted" pelvic placement?
A) Neutral has a posterior tilt; imprint has an anterior tilt
B) Neutral maintains the natural lumbar curve; imprint is a slight posterior pelvic
tilt with slight lumbar flexion
, C) They are the same position
D) Neutral is used for open chain; imprint for closed chain
Correct Answer: B. Neutral maintains the natural lumbar curve; imprint is a
slight posterior pelvic tilt with slight lumbar flexion. Rationale: Neutral promotes
good shock absorption and is usually used during closed kinetic chain activities.
Imprint involves shortening of obliques without gluteal activation and is often used
during open kinetic chain activities.
5. When the feet leave the floor (table-top, 90/90), which pelvic placement does
STOTT PILATES default to?
A) Neutral spine
B) Imprint, because the load on the lumbar spine increases and obliques must
stabilize against shear
C) Forced posterior tilt with gluteal contraction
D) Extension to counter thoracic kyphosis
Correct Answer: B. Imprint, because the load on the lumbar spine increases and
obliques must stabilize against shear. Rationale: STOTT teaches that whenever
the feet leave the support of the floor, the load on the lumbar spine increases and
the pelvis is placed in a slight imprint to recruit the obliques and prevent hip flexors
from pulling the lumbar into extension.
6. What is the ideal scapular position in STOTT PILATES?
A) Pinched together forcefully
B) Elevated toward the ears
C) Flat on the rib cage, gliding without winging
D) Protracted forward as far as possible
Correct Answer: C. Flat on the rib cage, gliding without winging. Rationale: The
scapulae should lie flat on the rib cage and glide without winging. Stabilizing the
scapulae is necessary during the initiation of every exercise.
