Imagine a tree with a weak trunk. When the wind blows the trunk will be bend and the branches are more likely to become damaged. Strengthening the trunk will make the structure more stable and reduce the damage when movement happens.

Now think about a human body where the torso is the trunk and the muscles that stabilise the torso and spine are weak. Movement of limbs such as the arms and legs against this weak torso is then more likely to cause injury and pain whether that be through normal day activities or sport.

The aim of pilates is to strengthen these stabilising muscles in the torso and this is called core strengthening. By doing this area, the emphasis is taken away from the limbs (or mobilising muscles), which then have a chance to recover and take on their normal role, without causing discomfort.