And Dr. Stuart McGill, Professor of Spine Biomechanics in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, says that there is a better way than drawing in the transversus abdominus to protect the spine and build the core. Dr. McGill recommends bracing all the abdominal muscles — something he said the body does more naturally during exertion. "Bracing is stiffening the abdominal wall. It’s a neutral position. It’s not sucking in and it’s not pushing your belly out."
Why the Pilates purists insist on holding to a way of exercising that is completely antithetical to contemporary knowledge about the body is absolutely beyond me. I still have debates with other teachers about the importance of neutral spine. It reminds me of the South Park episode where everyone chose to bury their heads in the sand!
For more information on newer functional approaches to Pilates, take a look at Joan Breibart's book, Standing Pilates.
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