What is IMPRINTING in Pilates?

Image with text on the left side: "Volume 2 examines locomotor system health conditions, including scoliosis, kyphosis, and more, illustrating in detail how movement sequences improve gait, balance, and quality of life."
The text on the right side: "Dr. Suzanne Clements Martin | Chapter 1 
Pilates and Spinal Asymmetry: Effect on Gait"

This blog post was written by Dr. Suzanne Clements Martin, contributor to “Chapter 1: Pilates and Spinal Asymmetry: Effect on Gait” in Pilates Applications for Health Conditions Volume 2. This blog post originally appeared in Pilates Intel.

Imprinting is a beloved term used in Pilates

Attributed to our Elder Eve Gentry, imprinting is a subtle action involved with detailed movements of the vertebra in a supine position, where the imprinted motion seeks to “release” the individual vertebrae. In physical therapy terms, it would be called an anterior-posterior Grade 1 or 4 self-mobilization. Contemporary-minded Pilates allows liberty for interpretation. While mobilizing vertebral bones is one way of using the term imprinting, may I suggest others?

Fascia’s Importance

It is no secret that the fascia world concepts have inundated the field of Pilates, yoga, and exercise in general. How fortunate this age is to have new and exciting ways to look at not just fascial anatomy, but actual fascial movement, its connecting impact and coordination with the sensory and psychological self. Already being an advanced mover starting the journey over 25 years ago in cadaver studies, the glaring observation was how abundant the fascia was/is throughout a body, not just humans. Curiosity of fascia’s importance through observation of the outrageous amount of back-up tissue for infrastructure was immensely reassuring for my world, the mover population.

Thanks to interested surgeons, researchers, along with popular anatomists, a clearer, working knowledge of the structure, form, and function continues to emerge.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the actual skin, our first line of imprint, acknowledges both internal and external sensory nerve pressures that have direct influence all the way into our bones. Bones are not rocks, but actual organized living groups of cells. The fascial layers, beginning with skin, abut and connect layer after fascial layer to eventually continue into periosteum, the fascial lining of bone. What happens on the surface impacts the bones, and bones create functional motion from the gentle rotations of individual ribs to create breathe to the large motion excursion of the legs in Leg Circles on the Reformer.

Fascia has a basic organizational characteristic known as bio-tensegrity, a term gaining increasing popularity. What does it mean? The word breaks down to biologic tensional integrity, meaning tensioning connective tissue holds our bodies together instead of an architectural building block model. The tension is adjusted by our nervous system in a process called proprioception. Proprioception is the brain’s perception of where it is in space. Kinesthesia is the body understanding when and how it is moving. Functional joint stabilization occurs as a result of these two occurring during motion. (Panjabi, 1997)

The tensioning of the connective tissue of fascia gives what is called force closure of the joints, in particular the pelvic joints, which help to maintain verticality. Force closure helps so many of us that are more flexible, do not have perfect joints (as in spinal asymmetry or arthritis), or that have had babies, injuries, or accidents, in other words, most of the population.

Fascial-Oriented Pilates Applications

As a long-time fascial manual therapist, I’ve incorporated the principles of fascial decompression and manipulation to my courses. Imprinting can be applied in both decompressive and manipulative ways in our work.

My courses are now all fascial-oriented Pilates applications. Self-touch, the original tactile cue, is the first form of imprint. One of my favorite exercises is the Sternal Mobilization. It helps those who have had chest wall surgery as in breast cancer, those with spinal asymmetry or scoliosis, or clients suffering from post-COVID or other breathing issues. When stiffness occurs in either the internal or external chest wall, shoulder motions become limited as well as breathing and is often accompanied by pain. These mat exercises will help Reformer exercises such as the Hundreds, Stomach Massage and Mermaid to be more balanced and effective.

With the client in a supine position, with the calves resting upon a Short Box, instruct them to place the thumbs into the armpits, touch their 3rd fingers together, place the fingers upon the sternum, and then release the thumbs. The fingers are now on a safe position of the sternum. The sternum has 3 bones: the manubrium, the gladiolus and the xiphoid. It is best to avoid the lowest bone of the xiphoid due to the ease of displacement.

Inhale, feel the sternum rise against the skin of the fingers. Then exhale, feel the bones descend and at the bottom, gently imprint the fingers three times (1-2-3), then release. Repeat several times. This motion affects the superficial fascia, the deep fascia and the internal rib cage fascia along with the fascial capsules of the lungs and heart. A modification for osteoporosis is to simply feel the finger weight and give no pressure at the bottom of the exhalation.

One-Lung Breathing

Another favorite is One-Lung Breathing created by our Elder Eve Gentry. The West Coast Baby Arc is my favorite tool for this one and is a usual beginning exercise for many of my sessions. This exercise helps re-shape the fascia of the trunk and is a great tool for clients with spinal asymmetry and cancer restoration.

Modify the neck and pelvic positions with towels and pillows as needed. Exert caution for those with osteoporosis. Modify by using only pillows underneath the ribs and minimize any pressure. Use only sensory tactile when in doubt. Position the client with the stiff rib cage side down toward the arc with the client’s chest at the height of the arc. Place two flat hands on the side of the ribs with extended fingers to avoid touching the breasts. Inhale, feel the ribs rise, then when the client exhales, let your hand weight give gentle pressure downwards. Repeat three times more and repeat to the other side.

Breath of Fire

The next one is the Breath of Fire, adapted from the yoga exercise. It is a stronger exercise that potentiates not only the excursion of the respiratory diagram but affects all the diaphragms (cranial, thoracic, respiratory and pelvic) by tensioning all internal fascial compartments. It works best if the client sits on a firm surface like a chair or the Trap Table.

Keep the lips closed throughout the entire sequence.

First practice posterior lateral breathing using the hands to mobilize the rib cage. Inhale, expand the cage. Exhale, give some pressure to the ribs. Practice a few times. Then practice the “percussive exhalation.” Exhale strongly deepening, imprinting, the soft tissue from the pubic symphysis to the navel. Hold it tense for four counts. Finally, practice repetitive percussive exhalations. Try not to inhale between them yet let the passive return from the exhalation happen naturally. Yes, it may not be perfect but try to keep going to number 20.

Next, put the whole sequence together: Posterior inhalation for four counts, exhale hour counts, then one percussive exhalation with a four -count hold, perform twenty exhalations. Start again to complete three cycles only, to end with normal breathing. Notice the excursion of your breath now!

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Dr. Suzanne Clements Martin, DPT, founder of Pilates Therapeutics LLC, has been a pioneer in the international application of Pilates therapy. Her unique approach, which blends art with science, has been instrumental in her courses on spine health, women’s health, foot management, cancer recovery, and performing arts enhancement since 2002. Her practice is guided by the core values of integrity, growth, and artistry. An avid promoter of Pilates and Lifestyle Fitness, she authored 3 fitness books with Dorling Kindersley, and wrote wellness columns for Dance Magazine and Dance Studio Life (A Better You) for a decade. In addition to her recent publication, Spinal Asymmetry and Scoliosis, published by Handspring, she has contributed “Chapter 1: Pilates and Spinal Asymmetry: Effect on Gait” in Pilates Applications for Health Conditions Volume 2, which is co-edited by Elizabeth Larkam and Madeline Black, again with Handspring Publishing.

To further examine locomotor system health conditions, including scoliosis, kyphosis, hip joint dysfunction, diastasis recti abdominis, and congenital muscular torticollis, illustrating in detail how movement sequences improve gait, balance, efficiency, and quality of life, check out Pilates Applications for Health Conditions Volume 2: Locomotor System Conditions (Handspring 2025).

Curves, Twists and Bends: Pilates for Scoliosis – An Interview with author Annette Wellings

Annette Wellings is a Pilates instructor who suffers from major scoliosis. She began exploring different ways of keeping her body flexible and healthy whilst working as a linguist and artist in Australia and subsequently, she retrained in rehabilitation Pilates.

She is the co-author of Curves, Twists and Bends: A Practical Guide to Pilates for Scoliosis with Alan Herdman, the leading practitioner of Pilates in the UK since introducing it there in 1970.

How did you first find out about Pilates?

While working as a linguist and an artist in Australia and Fiji, I became increasingly aware of my body becoming more hunched and painful with scoliosis. By the time I was about 35, my spine was rigid and my torso was becoming increasingly twisted. I realised that I needed to do something and explore options, instead of passively sitting by and lamenting the degeneration of the spine. I began exploring different ways of keeping my body flexible and healthy, and I discovered Pilates.

How easy is Pilates to learn for the complete beginner?

The beauty of Pilates is its simplicity and versatility. Essentially it is a gentle form of exercise that is constantly adjusted and moulded to suit the particular needs of the individual. For the complete beginner, it is important to go to a good qualified teacher who understands your condition. Pilates is a subtle process and, like many effective exercise programs, it requires time and focus in developing a mind-body awareness. Rather than instant gratification or a quick-fix, it bears gradual profound benefits over time.

How can Pilates complement traditional rehabilitation medicine?

Whether individuals have opted for surgery or not, it is vital that people with scoliosis (particularly severe curvatures) keep the spine and body as healthy, supple and lengthened as possible. Pilates provides gentle exercises that can help improve flexibility, posture and alignment, and lengthening.

Pilates can be particularly useful for scoliosis, by teaching how to move and engage separate muscle groups. This can help tease out asymmetrical patterns of muscle use, encouraging the strengthening of weak underdeveloped muscles, and breaking down the dominant bossy muscles which develop on one side of the torso.

While surgery focuses on straightening out the spinal curvature, it is important to highlight that Pilates exercises are not designed to restructure the spine. Their purpose is to encourage flexibility and length, and enable the body and spine to be as healthy and supple as possible. As such, Pilates is suited to all people with scoliosis. The basic exercise movements can then be modified and developed more precisely to suit the particular shape of an individual curvature.

Your co-author, Alan Herdman, suggests that the message of Pilates is ‘Quality not Quantity’. How often would a typical scoliosis sufferer need to practice Pilates to feel the benefit?

Alan is right. Pilates requires you to be mindful and put time and effort into any program, particularly if you’ve got scoliosis. To get full effect and benefits, two to three times a week is a great start. Including it as part of your everyday lifestyle is ideal. There is no quick fix for scoliosis, and it’s good to put in consistent time and focus over the long term, learning and listening to your body.

In the book you look at different strategies for living with scoliosis. As a sufferer yourself, what is the best advice you can give to other people living with this condition?

First, accept your scoliosis and recognize that it makes you unique. It is a symbol of your individuality. Get information about your curvature, so that you understand and are aware of what your scoliosis involves (e.g. location, size and type of curve). You should explore options available for treating your scoliosis and keeping your body strong, lengthened and flexible. It’s important to make yourself a health care plan for life, including adequate rest, a healthy diet, and a gentle regular exercise routine to keep the body as supple and healthy as possible. Think length. It’s wise to avoid movements and circumstances which jolt or compress the spine.

In short, let go and listen to your body. Accept, observe and explore your condition with curiosity.

Copyright © Singing Dragon 2009