‘Connection’ and ‘Community’ are the two words that resonate with me the most in business.

This involves connecting with my clients and understanding their needs and motivations.

Creating a community of like-minded people is key to my purpose; together we can make a positive change through movement. We are all connected.

More and more in the research, we see a focus on this ‘connection’ in movement science.

Naturally, all systems of our body are connected. For treating pathologies or injuries, there has for a long time been a focus on individual joints and muscles. This has stemmed from a biomechanical approach.

The newer approach of Tensegrity is a concept borrowed from architecture and biology. This sees the body as a system of tension and compression where all parts work together harmoniously.

Here’s why this shift in perspective is significant for ‘Whole Body Health in Pilates:

1. Holistic Integration of the Body

 Tensegrity views the body as a continuous network of connective tissues (including fascia), muscles, bones, and joints which interact as one unified system. Instead of focusing on isolated muscle movements or joint functions, the Pilates approach under the Tensegrity model emphasizes how different body parts work together in coordinated movements.

 For example, in rehabilitation, if you have knee pain, we may look at your foot flexibility, or ‘follow the chain’ up to the mobility in the hip, or even the ribcage.

 This approach supports whole-body health by fostering more efficient movement patterns, reducing strain, and preventing injury. It ensures that stress and tension are distributed throughout the body, rather than being localized. This can lead to imbalances.

2. Achieving a Dynamic Balance Between Tension and Compression

 In a Tensegrity structure, elements under tension (muscles and connective tissues) work together with elements under compression (bones) to maintain balance and stability.

 Pilates exercises that align with the Tensegrity model emphasize dynamic stability. This teaches the body to maintain strength and alignment through core control and balanced muscle engagement. This approach also helps improve our posture, coordination, and flexibility in a way that enhances functional movement in daily life.

This is crucial for overall health (Joseph Pilates believed that in attaining physical fitness we could ‘easily and satisfactorily perform our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure’).

3. Promoting Efficient Movement and Energy Flow

 The Tensegrity model enhances energy flow throughout the body. When the body is well-aligned, movements are more economical and fluid, leading to less wear and tear on joints and tissues.

 Pilates exercises, when practiced with the understanding of Tensegrity, help optimize movement efficiency. As a result, this leads to improved endurance, strength, and flexibility. This not only benefits performance but also long-term health by reducing unnecessary strain on the body.

4. Mind-Body Connection and Functional Health

 Pilates has always emphasized the mind-body connection. Tensegrity deepens this by encouraging practitioners to become aware of how different parts of the body influence each other during movement.

 This heightened awareness improves proprioception (the body’s ability to sense its position and movement in space). This leads to better control, balance, and coordination. As a result, the body moves in a more integrated way, promoting overall well-being and preventing injury.

 As some of you know, I’m also very aware of how moving ‘out of our heads’ and into our bodies through proprioception (in part) can help bring us out of anxiety and a heightened nervous system.

5. Adaptability to Changing Conditions

 Lastly, Tensegrity structures are inherently adaptable. In the body, this means that it can adjust to external stresses more seamlessly. Rather than focusing on rigid structures or specific alignments, the Pilates method using Tensegrity promotes flexibility, resilience, and adaptability. This, ultimately builds strength – all qualities that are key to long-term health and vitality.

If you want to become more flexible, strong, and resilient and start your own Pilates practice, you can take my Beginner’s Course, or join my online Community – both available through my website http://www.positivepilatessolihull.co.uk.

Biography

Larkham, E. (2019) Fascia in Motion; Fascia-focused movement for Pilates. Handspring Publishing, UK.

Levin, S (2019) What is Biotensegrity? Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-47iKNtp88

Myers, T. (2014) Anatomy Trains. Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists. Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.