Over the years, I’ve come to see the human body as a storyteller. Each ache, each restriction, and each moment of ease tells a story about how we’re living, moving, and holding on. What’s been truly exciting in my own journey—both as a movement instructor and now as a doctoral student of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—is realizing how much more there is to hear when we tune in. While I’m still three years away from becoming a licensed acupuncturist, the principles I’ve learned are already enriching how I approach Pilates sessions.
As someone who has spent over 15 years teaching Pilates and now deepening my understanding of TCM, I’ve discovered that the two practices complement one another in ways that make my sessions not only more effective but also more personalized.
In Pilates, we focus on alignment, breath, and balance. These same principles are echoed in TCM through the concept of meridians, or energy pathways. Meridians map the body in a way that connects the physical, emotional, and energetic, offering insights that reach far beyond muscles and joints. When we understand how energy moves through the body, we can better understand what might be creating tension or imbalance.
Though I’m still a few years away from being able to practice acupuncture, I’m already beginning to weave the concepts I’m learning into how I curate each client’s Pilates session. This integration is typically so subtle you might not even noteice - Sessions continue to work the same Pilates principles and exercises, but now with an additional layer of care where I am now able to use TCM principles help me tune into your body’s subtle messages and inform how I curate your session and work with you on the reformer, mat, Cadillac, or chair. This deeper level of care enhances our work together, ensuring that your workout is not only physical but touches on the energetic level as well.
My approach has always been about meeting clients where they are. Integrating TCM principles into sessions isn’t about reinventing the wheel—it’s about layering in a deeper understanding of how movement affects not just the body but the whole person.
When you step into the studio, it’s not just about the exercises or the reformer. It’s about you. It’s about listening to what your body is saying and tailoring each session to support not only your physical goals but also the energetic balance that allows you to move through life with greater ease and joy.
The Flow of Qi: Why It Matters
In TCM, Qi is the vital energy that flows through the body along pathways called meridians. These meridians are more than just theoretical—they’re tangible in how we feel and move. When Qi flows freely, the body thrives. But when it’s stagnant or blocked, it can manifest as tightness, pain, fatigue, or even emotional stress.
What Your Energy Says: Tailoring Pilates Through the Meridians
Every client is unique, and so is their energy. Some come in feeling stiff and stuck, others drained or ungrounded. Often, these experiences line up with the stories told by specific meridians. Here’s how this subtle knowledge informs the way I shape sessions:
For Stiffness and Overthinking: The Spleen Meridian
When someone feels off-balance—physically or mentally—I often think of the Spleen meridian. This pathway governs digestion, both of food and emotions. If a client comes in feeling heavy or disconnected from their core, we might work with grounded, stabilizing movements like bridging or inner thigh activation. These exercises don’t just strengthen; they help anchor a sense of calm and clarity, leaving you feeling more centered.
For Fatigue or Instability: The Kidney Meridian
The Kidney meridian is the body’s wellspring of energy, running from the feet through the spine. When I work with clients who feel depleted—whether they’re recovering from illness, stress, or simply life’s demands—I lean into grounding movements. Think heel presses, foot articulation, or spinal elongation. These aren’t just about physical alignment; they tap into your foundation, helping to restore a sense of steadiness and vitality.
For Feeling Stuck: The Liver Meridian
Sometimes, energy feels stagnant. Maybe it shows up as tight hips, a stiff lower back, or a general sense of frustration. The Liver meridian, which governs the smooth flow of energy, often holds the key here. For these clients, I like to explore flowing transitions, dynamic hip bridges, or deep stretches that encourage both physical and energetic release. It’s all about creating space for movement—inside and out.
For Tension in the Upper Body: The Heart Meridian
Upper body tension—tight shoulders, a compressed chest—often speaks to the Heart meridian. This pathway is tied to emotional openness and circulation. A session might include chest openers, thoracic extensions, or arm work designed to release restrictions and encourage breath. Clients often describe these movements as freeing, as if they’ve created room to breathe both physically and emotionally.
For Lateral Imbalances: The Gallbladder Meridian
When someone’s gait feels uneven or their hips feel restricted, I think of the Gallbladder meridian. Running along the sides of the body, this pathway is all about lateral stability and decisiveness. Side-lying legwork, lateral stretches, or dynamic side bends can open up these areas, helping clients feel stronger and more aligned as they move forward.
Tailoring Sessions to Individual Needs
Every client brings a unique story into the studio, and that’s where this integration of Pilates and TCM really shines. Here’s how I tailor sessions to meet your needs:
Pregnant or Postpartum Clients: Supporting the Spleen meridian is often key. This meridian governs digestion, nourishment, and the connective tissue that provides stability. Postpartum clients often benefit from gentle core work, bridging, or inner-thigh strengthening on the reformer, which can help support their recovery both physically and energetically.
Perimenopause: For clients navigating hormonal shifts, I consider the Kidney meridian, which governs reproductive health, vitality, and even emotional resilience. Exercises that encourage deep grounding—like foot articulation or pelvic stability work—help clients feel centered during this transitional time.
Athletes and Weekend Warriors: For runners, golfers, or anyone working to improve in their sport, addressing the Liver and Gallbladder meridians helps enhance mobility, reduce tightness, and build endurance. Flowing sequences on the Cadillac or focused core work on the reformer can support alignment and prevent overuse injuries.
Clients Recovering from Injury: Recovery often involves calming the nervous system and rebuilding strength gradually. Here, I might draw on the Heart and Pericardium meridians to support emotional ease alongside physical healing. Gentle spine mobility exercises or stretches that open the chest can encourage this balance.
Acupuncture Points and Pilates: Subtle Integration
Beyond meridians, there are specific acupuncture points that I’ve found to be incredibly useful in guiding movement. Here’s how I incorporate them into Pilates for an even deeper level of care:
GB 31 (Feng Shi): Located on the outer side of the thigh, this point helps release tension in the hips and legs. In Pilates, we might focus on lateral leg work or side-lying leg lifts to encourage release along this pathway and enhance mobility in the lower body. It’s beneficial for clients with tightness in the outer hips or those dealing with sciatica.
LU 2 (Yu Zhong): Found at the top of the chest, this point opens the lungs and chest. Gentle chest opening exercises such as shoulder bridge or lying chest expansion can help release tension around the lungs and improve upper body posture, fostering easier breathing and emotional release. Ideal for clients dealing with shallow breathing or upper chest tightness.
GB 21 (Jian Jing): Located at the top of the shoulders, it’s a key point for releasing neck and shoulder tension. In Pilates, we can focus on movements that stretch and mobilize the neck and shoulders, like arm circles or upper spine rotations, to alleviate tightness and improve mobility in the upper body. This point is especially helpful for clients with desk jobs or those experiencing stress-related tension in the shoulders.
UB 10 (Tian Zhu): Located on the back of the neck, it helps relieve headaches and neck stiffness. Gentle neck stretches and movements that engage the upper back—such as seated twists or neck mobility exercises—can relieve tension and promote a feeling of openness in the neck and upper spine. This point supports clients who carry stress in their neck or are experiencing tension headaches.
ST 27 (Da Ju): Situated just below the navel, this point stimulates digestion and moves stagnant energy in the lower abdomen. Pilates exercises like pelvic tilts, pelvic curls, or deep breathing while focusing on the lower abdomen can help activate this point, improving circulation and digestive function. Particularly useful for clients dealing with digestive issues or bloating.
KD 14 (Shi Men): Found on the lower abdomen, this point helps tonify the kidneys and improve vitality. In Pilates, we can focus on deep core work, such as leg circles or spine articulation, to activate the area around the lower abdomen and support energy flow to the kidneys. This point is valuable for clients dealing with fatigue, lower back discomfort, or those looking to support their energy levels.
SP 21 (Da Bao): Located along the side of the ribcage, this point helps with muscle and joint tension, especially around the chest and sides. In Pilates, side stretches, side-lying exercises, and work that engages the obliques can help release tightness around the ribs and facilitate the flow of Qi. Beneficial for clients who have a history of rib injuries or need to open up the chest and sides for improved mobility.
DU 24 (Shen Ting): Located at the top of the forehead, this point is known for calming the mind and clearing emotional clutter. In Pilates, we can incorporate forward folds or gentle upper spine releases (such as a Cat-Cow stretch) to release tension in the head and neck area, encouraging relaxation and mental clarity. Particularly beneficial for clients experiencing mental fatigue, stress, or difficulty focusing.
KD 1 (Yong Quan): Found on the soles of the feet, this grounding point helps with feelings of instability and disconnection. Exercises that focus on foot articulation, grounding through the heels in standing work, or balance exercises on the reformer can activate this point and promote a stronger connection to the earth. Useful for clients feeling uncentered, stressed, or those in need of better grounding in their body and mind.
DU 14 (Da Zhui): Located at the base of the neck, this point helps release heat and tension in the upper body, and is also associated with strengthening the immune system. In Pilates, we might incorporate thoracic spine mobilization, chest openers, or neck stretches to release tension in the neck and upper back. This can promote both physical relief and a calming of the mind. Ideal for clients with tension in the neck, those who suffer from upper back stiffness, or for boosting energy when feeling overworked.
A Holistic Vision
The beauty of integrating Pilates and TCM is that it allows for a truly holistic approach. Whether a client comes in looking for a dynamic workout or simply to feel more at home in their body, the session is tailored to meet both their immediate goals and their deeper needs.
For me, this evolution in my work is about connection—between movement and stillness, strength and fluidity, body and energy. It’s a reminder that Pilates isn’t just about exercises; it’s about creating balance and vitality that ripple out into every part of life.
If this holistic approach to Pilates speaks to you, whether you’re recovering from an injury, preparing for a major event like a marathon, or navigating a transitional phase in life, I’d love to guide you on this journey. Let’s create a balanced and energized path forward together—book a session and let’s start.
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