In Pilates, we talk a lot about the abdominal muscles—the centre, the powerhouse…your “core”. But there’s another centre of control and support that often gets overlooked: the shoulders.
Your shoulders are, in many ways, your upper core—and when they’re aligned, supported, and integrated, your entire movement capability is elevated.
The shoulder girdle is a term that’s used to describe the shoulders and isn’t just one joint—it’s a system. It includes the scapula (shoulder blades), clavicles (collarbones), and the muscles that support and move them. It’s designed to allow fluid, multidirectional movement, but also requires deep stability to function well.
In Pilates, we train this system to be both mobile and organized—not rigid, but responsive. And to work in a coordinated and synergistic way with the rest of the body.
If the shoulder girdle isn’t aligned or stable, this can lead to chronic tension and pain or potentially a more acute injury and can contribute to neck pain.
Many movement modalities focus on shoulder function, but the original pilates method has this integrated “upper core” focus at its foundation of postural integrity.
Breath-led movement is not only for abdominal activation but also to release unnecessary tension in the ribs, upper spine and neck—bringing focus back to the deep stabilizers around the scapula.
When the shoulder girdle is functioning as part of your entire core system, it brings a sense of lightness, freedom, and effortless strength.
The next time you’re on the mat, pay attention to how your shoulders feel—not just in arm movements, but in every pilates exercise. Are they floating upward with tension? Or are they drawing gently into alignment, supporting the spine and chest?
Working your shoulders in pilates isn’t about building size—it’s about deepening connection, improving posture, and creating a stable base for functional, graceful movement.
So yes—your shoulders are part of your core. Not just anatomically, but in how you move, how you breathe, and how you carry yourself through the world.
Website by Confetti