Neutral Spine is one of the more subtle yet powerful principles in Pilates. It belongs to the less-is-more approach to movement, like most of the fundamental concepts underlying the Pilates method.

Here's how you can feel Neutral Spine: Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Your spine should have two areas that do not touch the mat underneath you: your neck and your lower back (the cervical spine and lumbar spine, respectively). These natural curves in your back function to absorb shock when you're standing, running, jumping, or simply walking around town. When you sit, it's important to maintain the natural curves in your spine to prevent lower back and neck strain. Neutral Spine is basically universal proper posture.