The Three Dimensions of Movement

The Three Dimensions of Movement - Strength, Flexibility and Skill

Why This Matters

The central challenge of the group Reformer teacher is simple:

How do we help everybody become stronger, more flexible and more skilful while keeping the class together?

To solve that problem, we need a way of understanding movement that goes beyond simply teaching Pilates exercises.

Every movement is built from three dimensions:

Understanding these dimensions allows us to:

• Assess what a client actually needs.

• Select appropriate layers and progressions.

• Teach mixed-ability groups effectively.

• Create measurable improvement rather than simply helping people perform Pilates shapes.

The Problem With Traditional Pilates Thinking

Many instructors are taught to think: “If a client can’t do the movement, they simply don’t understand it yet.”

Sometimes that’s true.

Often it isn’t.

A client may lack:

• Strength

• Flexibility

• Skill

• Or a combination of all three

For example:

A client may understand a High Bridge perfectly but lack the shoulder strength to perform it.

Another client may have the strength but lack the spinal mobility.

Another may have both but lack the coordination.

The solution is different in each case.

The Three Dimensions model gives us a framework for identifying which ingredient is missing.