Neutral isn’t a magical land where injury doesn’t occur.

Neutral isn’t a unique zone where you are bulletproof and protected.

Neutral isn’t a special place of safety where movement is executed perfectly.

Neutral is not a rare sought after unicorn but it is absolutely a myth.

Neutral simply cannot exist.
If you accept our bodies are all unique in their skeletal variations then what is perceived as neutral in one, won’t be in another.
If you accept that our spines have natural curves for function and movement then surely neutral is being with the curves not an artificially created flattening as a point to move from?

So what is the point of using the word neutral so much in yoga and Pilates and what is the potential outcome of its interpretation?

We often use it as a ‘return to base’ phrase, for example being neutral in context ie not doing what we were previously- a great easily understandable use.

Problems arise when we use it to create an ideal.

Encouraging a certain form or posture under the believe it is a safer way to move. Posture and form is currently well disproven in relationship to pain and injury so this creates a fear around getting movement right and therefore ultimately a fear around movement and injury anticipation.

There are some claims around certain exercises needing to be neutral to target muscles such as the core in isolation… we can’t truly isolate anything and if the core is used only minimally even in Olympic weightlifting but liberally in running, jumping, swinging, golf, tennis, hockey, balancing etc- why are we creating stress around it being a companion to neutrals safe state or perpetuating the myth it is the only place to ensure safety?

Words matter and in using the word neutral, context matters because fear mongering and dictatorial movement is far from neutral. Be a movement optimist & a flexible rethinker.