Every day, we interact with invisible forces that shape how we move—some acting upon us from the outside, others stirring us from within. Yet, most Pilates teachers and clients are completely unaware of these hidden influences and the immense power they hold over our movement patterns.
One of the greatest external forces governing our bodies is gravity. We all know it exists, but do we truly understand how it feels in our bodies?
How it moves us, supports us, and even enhances our ability to move with ease and efficiency?
For many, gravity is seen as something to resist—something to pull up against, stabilize against, and counteract. But what if that perspective is limiting us rather than empowering us?
At the recent Pilates Congress 2025, movement educator Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle posed a profound question:
What if gravity wasn’t your opponent, but your greatest teacher?
Instead of fighting against gravity, Wendy invites us to partner with it—to let it guide, support, and even refine the way we move. This simple shift can unlock more natural, fluid, and sustainable movement patterns—transforming not just our personal practice but also the way we teach.
Are you ready to rethink your relationship with gravity? Let’s explore how embracing this invisible force can elevate our movement, our teaching, and our understanding of the body.
The Problem With Over-Stabilization
One of the biggest misconceptions in Pilates (and fitness in general) is the idea that more stability equals better movement. We’re constantly cueing clients to “engage the core,” “pull up,” or “brace,” often without considering whether that tension is actually helping them move better.
The result? Over-stabilization.
When we grip too hard—whether in the core, the shoulders, or the pelvis—we block natural movement rather than support it.
Instead of creating freedom and efficiency, we create rigidity, tension, and even compensation patterns that lead to pain.
Wendy’s approach invites us to reframe stability as something dynamic, not static. Instead of “holding” ourselves in place, we learn to balance with gravity, rather than against it.
A New Way to Think About Core Control
Most Pilates teachers have been conditioned to see core engagement as a pulling-in action—as if we must tighten everything just to stand, sit, or move correctly. But true core support isn’t about gripping; it’s about coordination and adaptability.
Think about it:
- A strong tree doesn’t resist the wind—it sways and adapts to it.
- A skilled surfer doesn’t fight the waves—they work with them to stay balanced.
- A well-organized body doesn’t lock down against gravity—it organizes itself through it.
When we shift from core control to core coordination, movement becomes lighter, freer, and more sustainable. Instead of teaching clients to fight gravity, we help them find support within it—and that changes everything.
The Role of the Fascial System
Another key concept in Wendy’s teaching is the role of the fascial system in supporting movement.
Fascia is not just a passive structure—it’s an active, intelligent network that responds to how we move. Rather than isolating muscles, we can tap into the fascial system to distribute effort more efficiently.
This perspective shifts the way we cue movement. Instead of asking clients to “activate” specific muscles, we can guide them to sense how their entire body is engaged in the movement. This whole-body awareness allows for a more fluid, integrated way of moving that feels both strong and effortless.
A Breathing Spine: Stability Without Stiffness
The spine is often treated as a rigid column—something to hold tall and straight. But Wendy’s workshop emphasized a different approach: the spine as a breathing, living structure that responds dynamically to movement.
Instead of forcing a "neutral" spine, she encourages exploration:
- How does your spine respond to gravity?
- Can you allow your breath to create space in movement?
- What happens when you let go of tension instead of bracing?
This doesn’t mean losing support—it means finding intelligent stability through adaptability, not rigidity.
How to Apply This in Your Teaching
Ready to bring this perspective shift into your Pilates practice? Here are three simple ways to partner with gravity in your movement and teaching:
- Let Go of Unnecessary Effort
Notice where you or your clients hold tension unnecessarily. Are they gripping their abs? Clenching their jaw? Locking their knees? Instead of forcing stability, encourage them to soften and allow movement to happen from the inside out. To let movement happen through you, not by you is a huge game changer. - Reframe Stability as a Relationship
Stability isn’t about “freezing” the body in place—it’s about dynamic adaptability. Try cueing balance instead of cueing tension. Example: Instead of saying “pull up,” try “feel the ground supporting you.” - Think of the Spine as a Breathing Structure
The spine isn’t a rigid pole—it’s a responsive, breathing structure that moves in relationship to gravity. Encourage fluid movement instead of stiffness. Notice how breath influences spinal movement.
The Depth of Wendy’s Teaching
Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle’s ability to challenge conventional thinking while honoring the intelligence of the body is truly inspiring. She doesn’t just teach movement—she invites us into a deeper conversation with our own bodies. Her approach is not about fixing, correcting, or controlling—it’s about discovering, feeling, and allowing.
Those who have had the privilege of learning from her know that her teaching is about more than just exercises. It’s about reconnecting with movement in a way that is both deeply intuitive and profoundly liberating. She offers an approach that is both grounded in science and rich with wisdom from years of working with the human body.
Final Thoughts: A More Sustainable Approach to Movement
By shifting the way we think about gravity, stability, and movement, we unlock a more sustainable, adaptable, and easeful way to move and teach.
Instead of teaching our clients to fight gravity, we can help them find effortless support within it. And that changes not just how they move in class, but how they move in life.
If this approach intrigues you, dive deeper. The Partner with Gravity workshop replay is available for a limited time—a rare opportunity to learn directly from Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle and revolutionize the way you approach Pilates.
Want to experience this shift for yourself? Get access to the full workshop replay today.
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