What does 'working in the joint' imply about the knee folds exercise?

'Working in the joint' in the context of the knee folds exercise refers to the separation of hip motion from the pelvis. This concept is crucial in Pilates as it emphasizes the importance of maintaining stability in the pelvis while allowing for movement at the hip joint. In the knee folds exercise, the focus is on flexing and extending the knee joint while keeping the pelvis stable and aligned. This alignment allows practitioners to engage their core effectively and promote proper mechanics within the hips, fostering better control and awareness of movement patterns.

This separation is beneficial as it helps to enhance the functionality of the hip joint and ensures that the movements performed are not compensatory, leading to potential strain or injury. Well-executed knee folds can improve mobility and strength in the hip area while maintaining a neutral spine, which is a foundational principle in Pilates practice. As a result, the emphasis on this separation underlines the importance of correct biomechanics in achieving optimal outcomes during exercises.