MAT PILATES STUDY GUIDE - BALANCED BODY QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. What are the three levels of observation an instructor can use
to analyze a client's movement patterns?: global, integrated
planar and local
2. When observing vertical alignment from the side, what key
bony landmarks do you want to line up with the plumb line of
gravity?: 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
3. What muscle imbalances are usually associated with thoracic
kyphosis?: - Thoracic extensors and scapular stabilizers are weak or
long, anterior chest muscles are tight or short
4. When training clients what key factors are important to
consider when plan- ning our exercise program?: Current fitness
level, age, quality of motor control and learning style
5. The 80/20 rule in training applies to what philosophy?: When
training, 80% of a session is dedicated to refining skills the client has
already learned and 20% to learn new skills.
6. What are the four elements of Trunk Integration?: Breathing,
inner unit, outer units, spinal mobility
1/9
, MAT PILATES STUDY GUIDE - BALANCED BODY QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
7. On an inhale, the diaphragm contracts and the dome
moves: downward, drawing air in
8. Inhaling generally helps to facilitate what spinal movement:
extension
9. The inner unity or core includes what muscles: Pelvic floor,
transverse abdo- minis, multifidi and diaphragm
10.What foundational exercises bring awareness to breath in
relationship to the transversus abdominis: Fingertip abdominals
All four abdominals
11.In a normal, healthy body, the inner unit of the core fires:
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.
12.Supine exercises which teach lumbopelvic stability:
marching, toe taps, dead bugs
13.Which exercise is a good way to teach lumbopelvic stability
in prone: swim- ming
14.A supine exercise which strengthens the hamstring and
glutes while train- ing stability in the oblique slings is: bridge
2/9
, MAT PILATES STUDY GUIDE - BALANCED BODY QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
marching
15.The primary functions of the spine include: Force
transference Protection of the spinal cord and nerve roots
movement
16.What is the name of the first cervical vertebrae: atlas
3/9
AND ANSWERS
1. What are the three levels of observation an instructor can use
to analyze a client's movement patterns?: global, integrated
planar and local
2. When observing vertical alignment from the side, what key
bony landmarks do you want to line up with the plumb line of
gravity?: 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
3. What muscle imbalances are usually associated with thoracic
kyphosis?: - Thoracic extensors and scapular stabilizers are weak or
long, anterior chest muscles are tight or short
4. When training clients what key factors are important to
consider when plan- ning our exercise program?: Current fitness
level, age, quality of motor control and learning style
5. The 80/20 rule in training applies to what philosophy?: When
training, 80% of a session is dedicated to refining skills the client has
already learned and 20% to learn new skills.
6. What are the four elements of Trunk Integration?: Breathing,
inner unit, outer units, spinal mobility
1/9
, MAT PILATES STUDY GUIDE - BALANCED BODY QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
7. On an inhale, the diaphragm contracts and the dome
moves: downward, drawing air in
8. Inhaling generally helps to facilitate what spinal movement:
extension
9. The inner unity or core includes what muscles: Pelvic floor,
transverse abdo- minis, multifidi and diaphragm
10.What foundational exercises bring awareness to breath in
relationship to the transversus abdominis: Fingertip abdominals
All four abdominals
11.In a normal, healthy body, the inner unit of the core fires:
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.
12.Supine exercises which teach lumbopelvic stability:
marching, toe taps, dead bugs
13.Which exercise is a good way to teach lumbopelvic stability
in prone: swim- ming
14.A supine exercise which strengthens the hamstring and
glutes while train- ing stability in the oblique slings is: bridge
2/9
, MAT PILATES STUDY GUIDE - BALANCED BODY QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
marching
15.The primary functions of the spine include: Force
transference Protection of the spinal cord and nerve roots
movement
16.What is the name of the first cervical vertebrae: atlas
3/9
