Anatomy Lesson

PilatiBarre Method — Anatomy Reference

Anatomy
Reference

Session Certification Training

Complete Muscle Guide · All Eight Systems
01
The Powerhouse
Core Stabilization System
DIAPHRAGM TRANSVERSUS ABD. RECTUS ABDOMINIS EXT OBL. PELVIC FLOOR MULTIFIDUS (posterior — not shown) Deep Layer Global Layer
Anterior view — deep stabilizer & global abdominal layers
Deep Stabilizers (Local)
  • Transversus abdominis
  • Multifidus
  • Diaphragm
  • Levator ani
  • Coccygeus
  • Puborectalis
  • Pubococcygeus
  • Iliococcygeus
Global Abdominals
  • Rectus abdominis
  • External oblique
  • Internal oblique
Spinal Extensors
  • Iliocostalis
  • Longissimus
  • Spinalis
  • Quadratus lumborum
  • Semispinalis
02
The Spine
Cervical · Thoracic · Lumbar
CERVICAL C1–C7 THORACIC T1–T12 LUMBAR L1–L5 MULTIFIDUS ERECTOR SPINAE SCALENES Posterior view
Posterior view — spinal regions with key stabilizer muscles
Cervical Region
  • Sternocleidomastoid
  • Scalenes (ant., mid., post.)
  • Suboccipitals (4)
  • Longus colli
  • Longus capitis
  • Splenius capitis
  • Splenius cervicis
Thoracic Region
  • Thoracic erector spinae
  • Thoracic multifidus
  • Rotatores brevis
  • Rotatores longus
  • Interspinales
  • Intertransversarii
Lumbar Region
  • Lumbar multifidus
  • Lumbar erector spinae
  • Psoas major
  • Iliacus
03
The Hip Complex
Rotators · Flexors · Extensors · Abductors · Adductors
DEEP ROTATORS GLUTE MAX. ADDUCTORS GLUTE MED. ILIOPSOAS Anterior/posterior combined view
Hip complex — pelvis, femoral heads, and major muscle groups
Deep Hip Rotators
  • Piriformis
  • Obturator internus
  • Obturator externus
  • Gemellus superior
  • Gemellus inferior
  • Quadratus femoris
Hip Flexors
  • Psoas major
  • Iliacus (= Iliopsoas)
  • Rectus femoris
  • Tensor fasciae latae
  • Sartorius
  • Pectineus
Hip Extensors
  • Gluteus maximus
  • Biceps femoris (long head)
  • Semimembranosus
  • Semitendinosus
Abductors & Adductors
  • Gluteus medius
  • Gluteus minimus
  • Adductor longus
  • Adductor brevis
  • Adductor magnus
  • Gracilis
04
The Knee
Quadriceps · Hamstrings · Stabilizers
PATELLA QUADRICEPS 4 heads PATELLAR TENDON HAMSTRINGS (posterior) VMO (patellar tracking) Anterior view — right leg
Anterior view — quadriceps, hamstrings, patella and patellar tendon
Knee Extensors — Quadriceps
  • Rectus femoris
  • Vastus lateralis
  • Vastus medialis (VMO)
  • Vastus intermedius
Knee Flexors — Hamstrings
  • Biceps femoris (long & short)
  • Semimembranosus
  • Semitendinosus
  • Popliteus
  • Gastrocnemius
05
Foot & Ankle
Plantarflexors · Dorsiflexors · Intrinsic Muscles
ACHILLES TENDON GASTROC. & SOLEUS TIB. ANT. PLANTAR FASCIA PERONEUS L. & B. Medial view — right foot and ankle
Medial view — plantarflexors, dorsiflexors, and plantar fascia
Plantarflexors
  • Gastrocnemius
  • Soleus
  • Plantaris
  • Tibialis posterior
  • Flexor hallucis longus
  • Flexor digitorum longus
  • Peroneus longus
  • Peroneus brevis
Dorsiflexors
  • Tibialis anterior
  • Extensor hallucis longus
  • Extensor digitorum longus
  • Peroneus tertius
Intrinsic Foot Muscles
  • Flexor digitorum brevis
  • Abductor hallucis
  • Abductor digiti minimi
  • Lumbricals (4)
  • Dorsal interossei (4)
  • Plantar interossei (3)
06
Shoulder Girdle
Scapular Stabilizers · Rotator Cuff · Prime Movers
CLAVICLE SCAPULA HUMERUS SUPRASPINATUS INFRASPINATUS SUBSCAPULARIS TERES MINOR DELTOID (ant/mid/post) TRAPEZIUS SERRATUS ANT. Rotator Cuff Prime Movers Scapular Stabilizers Lateral view — right shoulder
Lateral view — rotator cuff, scapular stabilizers, and prime movers
Scapular Stabilizers
  • Serratus anterior
  • Trapezius (upper)
  • Trapezius (middle)
  • Trapezius (lower)
  • Rhomboid major
  • Rhomboid minor
  • Levator scapulae
Rotator Cuff
  • Supraspinatus
  • Infraspinatus
  • Teres minor
  • Subscapularis
Prime Movers
  • Deltoid (ant., mid., post.)
  • Pectoralis major
  • Pectoralis minor
  • Latissimus dorsi
  • Teres major
  • Biceps brachii
  • Triceps brachii
  • Coracobrachialis
07
Breathing Mechanics
Primary · Accessory · Lateral Thoracic
DIAPHRAGM dome flattens on inhale LUNG LUNG PELVIC FLOOR eccentrically lowers on inhale SCM LATERAL EXPANSION LATERAL EXPANSION INTERCOSTALS (ext. / int.) Anterior view — lateral thoracic breathing mechanics
Diaphragm-pelvic floor coordination — lateral thoracic breathing
Primary Breathing Muscles
  • Diaphragm
  • External intercostals
  • Internal intercostals
  • Pelvic floor (coordinated unit)
Accessory Breathing Muscles
  • Scalenes
  • Sternocleidomastoid
  • Serratus anterior
  • Pectoralis minor
  • Subclavius
08
Fascial Kinetic Chains
Anatomy Trains — Full Body Integration
SBL SFL LL SPL DFL — Deep Front Line (Powerhouse) Superficial Back Line Superficial Front Line Lateral Line Spiral Line Deep Front Line
Five primary fascial lines — Anatomy Trains integration model
Superficial Back Line
Plantar fascia → hamstrings → erector spinae → epicranial fascia. Controls forward flexion.
Superficial Front Line
Tibialis ant. → rectus femoris → rectus abdominis → SCM. Flexion and protection.
Lateral Line
Peronei → IT band/TFL → lateral obliques → intercostals. Lateral stability.
Spiral Line
Rhomboids → serratus ant. → ext. oblique → TFL. Double helix. Key to barre rotation.
Deep Front Line
Pelvic floor → iliopsoas → diaphragm → deep cervical flexors. The Pilates Powerhouse mapped onto fascial anatomy. Foundation of all movement.
PilatiBarre Method Session Certification Training Anatomy Reference