Therapeutic Pilates for the Thorax: Focused Exercises, Modifications, and Critical Reasoning to Restore Mobility and Dynamic Control

Restoring mobility, posture, and dynamic control of the thorax can be very challenging given its design and numerous functional requirements. Thoracic restrictions and inefficiencies are frequently the cause of breakdown, pain and problems throughout the body. Because the conscious brain is not focused on the thorax most of the time, thoracic issues frequently remain undetected.

This educational video package offers therapeutic Pilates exercises and modifications to restore mobility and alignment throughout each region of the thorax and shoulder girdle. It provides foundational critical reasoning ideas for how to approach thoracic dysfunctions in each plane of motion, and how to use spring resistance and props to progress and regress exercises.

This package is designed to give exercise ideas and inspiration to movement professionals who have taken a thoracic course with Melanie Byford-Young, Diane Lee, or other instructors. It is created as an adjunct, and does not include a review of thoracic anatomy and biomechanics, instruction on assessment of individual thoracic rings, nor does it include a complete library of Pilates exercises that are beneficial for the thorax.

This information is ideal for movement professionals who have studied Pilates and use Pilates equipment during 1:1 sessions with clients. It provides a unique perspective on how to approach clients with thoracic driven postural imbalances, head forward posture, persistent tightness, low back pain and shoulder issues.  Hypermobility syndrome specific issues and sports conditioning are not addressed in this package.