Planes of movement

Question 1

In Pilates, movement occurs across 3 primary planes of motion, each representing a different direction in which the body can move. The 3 planes are

Answer 1

sagittial plane
frontal (coronal) plane
transverse plane

Question 2

divides the body into left and right halves

Answer 2

Sagittal plane

Question 3

Sagittal plane

Answer 3

divides the body into left and right halves

Question 4

Forward and backward motion such as flexion (e.g. rolling down) and extension (e.g. reaching arms overhead or backbend movements)

Answer 4

Sagittal plane

Question 5

Examples of movement across sagittal plane

Answer 5

Flexion: rolling down
extension: reaching arms overhead or backbend movements

Question 6

divides the body into front and back halves

Answer 6

Frontal (coronal) plane

Question 7

Frontal (coronal) plane

Answer 7

divides the body into front and back halves

Question 8

side-to-side motion such as lateral flexion (side bends) or abduction and adduction (e.g. leg lifts to the side or arm movements away from the body) (plane)

Answer 8

Frontal (coronal) plane

Question 9

Frontal (coronal) plane movement examples

Answer 9

divides the body into front and back halves
side-to-side motion such as lateral flexion (side bends) or abduction and adduction (e.g. leg lifts to the side or arm movements away from the body)

Question 10

divides the body into top and bottom halves

Answer 10

Transverse plane

Question 11

Transverse plane

Answer 11

divides the body into top and bottom halves

Question 12

Transverse plane motion examples

Answer 12

Rotational motion, such as twisting the torso, rotation the arms or legs, or performing movements like a seated twist or bicycle legs on the Reformer

Question 13

Transverse plane movement examples

Answer 13

seated twist or bicycle legs on the Reformer