How to Cue Muscles without Cueing Muscles

What if cueing the body wasn't about telling muscles what to do — but helping clients feel how their body already knows how to move?

In this solo episode of The Pilates Lounge Podcast, Katie explores how Pilates teachers can cue muscles without directly asking clients to "switch on," "activate," or "engage" specific muscles.

Drawing from her own teaching experience, Katie shares how her cueing language has evolved over the years and why functional movement should reflect how the body naturally works in everyday life. Using simple examples like picking up a coffee cup or walking, she explains why constantly cueing muscle contraction may sometimes interrupt natural coordination rather than improve it.

This episode invites Pilates professionals to think deeper about body awareness, joint placement, integrated movement, and how to use language, touch, imagery, props, and the environment to help clients connect with their body in a more natural and functional way.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why Katie no longer relies heavily on cues like "switch on your core"
• How teaching language naturally evolves over time
• Why Pilates cueing should support real-life function
• The difference between muscle activation and body awareness
• Why actively cueing muscles can sometimes interrupt natural movement
• How to help clients understand where their body is in space
• The role of joint placement in supporting better movement
• How to cue the core without directly saying "engage your core"
• How to help clients feel hamstring connection through the heel
• Why the body works as an integrated system, not isolated muscles
• How props, touch, equipment, and imagery can improve client awareness
• Why curiosity and feedback are essential for Pilates teachers

Key Takeaways

✨ Pilates cueing does not always need to focus on individual muscle activation

✨ The body naturally coordinates movement without conscious muscle commands

✨ Functional teaching should reflect how clients move in everyday life

✨ Joint placement and body awareness can help muscles work more naturally

✨ Imagery, touch, props, and the environment can support deeper client understanding

✨ Teaching language will continue to evolve as your experience and knowledge grow

✨ There is no perfect way to teach — only the best way you can teach with what you know today

About Katie Crane

Katie Crane is the host of The Pilates Lounge Podcast and founder of The Pilates Professional. With decades of experience in the Pilates industry, Katie supports Pilates teachers and movement professionals in deepening their understanding of the body, refining their teaching approach, and developing more thoughtful, functional, and client-centered practices.

In this episode, Katie shares a personal and practical reflection on cueing, teaching evolution, and how Pilates professionals can better guide clients toward movement that feels natural, integrated, and empowering.

Resources Mentioned

• Functional movement cueing
• Body awareness in Pilates
• Joint placement and movement support
• Core connection through imagery
• Hamstring connection through the back body line
• Pilates teaching language and client feedback

Listen & Subscribe

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow Pilates teacher or movement professional who wants to refine their cueing and teach with more clarity.

Because sometimes the most powerful cue is not telling the body what to do — but helping the client feel what is already happening.

Continue the Conversation in The Pilates Muse

If this conversation sparked something for you — professionally or personally — explore The Pilates Muse, where Katie shares deeper reflections on movement, teaching philosophy, body awareness, and the evolution of Pilates as a therapeutic practice.

➡️ https://www.thepilatesprofessional.com.au/the-pilates-muse-publication

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About The Pilates Lounge

The Pilates Lounge Podcast is where intelligent movement meets real-world practice.

Hosted by Katie Crane, the podcast explores the deeper layers of Pilates — from chronic pain and nervous system regulation to business leadership, teaching philosophy, and the evolving role of movement professionals in modern healthcare.

Each episode supports Pilates educators to think deeper, teach smarter, and serve their communities with integrity.