Alive Pilates - IC… not ICK !

In class recently we were talking about spinal positions — straight neutral spine and C-curve spine — and how important it is to understand the difference.

Now, saying “find neutral pelvis” or “move into spinal flexion” can sound very textbook. So I decided to make it simpler.

I’ve started calling it IC.

I = I-shape
That’s your neutral spine. Long, aligned, stacked. Head over ribs, ribs over pelvis. Not tucked. Not arched. Just strong and centred.

C = C-curve
That’s your rounded spine. Think ab curl, roll back, deep core work. The front of the body gently closes as the abdominals support the movement.

In class we had a giggle trying to think of something beginning with K so we could call it “ICK”. Sadly, we never quite cracked that one — and probably for the best. ICK doesn’t exactly scream elegance.

But IC works beautifully.

Because Pilates is about awareness. Knowing whether you’re in I or C changes how you recruit your muscles, how you breathe and how you protect your back.

It’s simple. It’s memorable. And now you’ll never forget it.

Next time you’re in class and I say “Are you in I or C?”… you’ll know exactly what I mean.