The Three Critical Conections

In classical Pilates we talk about "Critical Connections" and you hear about them often from me in class :)

They include:

• The Three Anchors - referring to wrapping the inner thighs, drawing the sits bones in toward the centerline of the body, and scooping the low abdominals in and up.

• Ribs to Scapula and Scapula to Ribs Connection - meaning to draw the scapula, or shoulder blades, down the back of the body and pulling them in against the ribcage in the back while simultaneously pulling the front of the ribcage down the front of the body and pulling in towards the spine.  Think of hugging
  your shoulder blades against your ribs and your ribs against
  
  your shoulder blades.

• Heel to Seat Connection  - the activation of lengthening the backs of your legs and reaching through your heels with your sits bones.

Put all of these together and what have you got...?

Pilates Stance!

Now that you are more aware of these connections, try focusing on them in the exercises and see how they deepen your practice.