Women in Motion is excited to introduce Reformer Pilates Physical Therapy and Wellness services!
The Origins of Pilates
Pilates was developed in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates as a method to restore movement, strength, and alignment in the body. His system is built on six timeless principles: centering, concentration, control, precision, breath, and flow.
Though the method has evolved, these foundational concepts still shape the way we use Pilates in clinical care today—especially when it comes to core and pelvic floor function.
What Is the Core, Really?
We hear the term “core” all the time—but it’s more than just your abs. Anatomically, the core spans from the bottom of your ribcage to your pelvis and includes four key muscle groups that work together to support your spine and stabilize movement:
Diaphragm – the primary breathing muscle, located under the ribcage
Transverse abdominis – a deep abdominal muscle that wraps around your torso like a corset
Multifidi – small but mighty muscles along the spine that provide segmental stability
Pelvic floor muscles – a sling-like group of muscles at the base of the pelvis that support your organs and help regulate bladder, bowel, and sexual function
When these muscles are in sync, they create a stable, resilient foundation for the entire body. But if one part of the system is underperforming—whether due to childbirth, surgery, injury, or chronic conditions—the rest of the core has to compensate. That’s where symptoms like incontinence, prolapse, back pain, or instability often emerge.
Why Pilates Works
This is where Pilates truly shines.
Pilates exercises are designed to gently but effectively engage every layer of the deep core. Breathwork activates the diaphragm, alignment and posture cue the transverse abdominis and multifidi, and integrated, mindful movement encourages pelvic floor coordination.
One of Pilates’ greatest strengths is its adaptability—it meets you exactly where you are. Whether you’re recovering postpartum, managing chronic pelvic pain, or working with a hypermobility diagnosis, Pilates can be scaled to your unique needs.
And it’s not just theory—research supports the use of Pilates in improving core and pelvic floor strength across a wide range of conditions. For many clients at Women In Motion, Pilates becomes more than just movement. It becomes a practice—a way to rebuild strength, restore confidence, and reconnect with their bodies.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re curious about whether Pilates is right for your pelvic floor journey, I’d love to help. At Women In Motion, we take a personalized approach to recovery, combining clinical expertise with thoughtful movement strategies.
Reach out to schedule a session—together, we’ll create a plan to support your healing, strength, and long-term wellness.
Meet Katie:
I’m Katie Hale — pelvic floor physical therapist, certified Pilates instructor, and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) Exercise Trainer. With over a decade of clinical experience, I’ve dedicated my career to helping people reconnect with their bodies by retraining the deep stabilizing muscles of the spine—what we commonly refer to as the “core.”
While I specialize in pelvic health, my work also includes extensive experience supporting individuals with complex conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Through it all, I’ve found one consistent, powerful tool in the recovery process: Pilates.
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