Pilates Technique Thursday: The Jaw and Pelvis Connection

Anatomical illustration showing the hidden fascial relationship between the jaw and the pelvis.

When we think about alignment in Pilates, the pelvis is often our anchor. We spend time encouraging clients to find a neutral position, to balance, to stabilise, and to move with control from this central hub. But sometimes we forget that the body is not a collection of isolated parts. It is a connected system where every joint, muscle, and fascial line communicates with another.

One of the most fascinating relationships we often overlook is between the jaw and the pelvis. On the surface, they could not seem further apart, yet the fascial web tells a different story.

The Fascial Connection

The jaw and pelvis are linked through deep myofascial lines that run along the spine and through the body’s central axis. Fascia is a continuous and dynamic tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and organs. Restrictions in one area can create tension and misalignment in another. For example, tension held in the jaw can transmit through fascial lines and spinal pathways, creating patterns of imbalance that reach down into the pelvis.

This means it is not unusual to see someone with chronic jaw clenching also experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction or postural challenges in the pelvis. Equally, unresolved tension or misalignment in the pelvis can feed upward, creating strain patterns that influence the jaw, head, and even the way someone bites.

Is This Real?

There is growing interest in the research around these connections. Studies in myofascial science suggest that the jaw and pelvis share neural and fascial pathways that influence posture, balance, and muscle tone. While more clinical studies are still needed, experienced movement professionals, bodyworkers, and manual therapists have long observed this two way relationship.

In practical terms, it means that working with jaw release through gentle myofascial techniques, breath, and awareness can positively influence pelvic alignment. Likewise, stabilising and balancing the pelvis can help reduce chronic tension patterns in the jaw.

Why This Matters in Pilates

As Pilates teachers, we often concentrate on pelvic positioning. Neutral, imprint, balanced. But if we never consider what is happening above, we may be missing a vital piece of the puzzle. If your client struggles to stabilise the pelvis, perhaps it is not just about their hips or core. It might be about how they are holding their jaw, their breath, and the tension patterns carried through the fascia.

Simple awareness strategies, such as inviting clients to soften the jaw during pelvic work, can be surprisingly effective. Pairing this with breath work and mindful movement can unlock deeper connections and ease.

My Workshop Insight

In my recent workshop, I shared how misalignments in the pelvis are not always about the pelvis itself. Sometimes the key to balance lies in addressing the broader system of connections. The jaw and pelvis relationship is one of those hidden but powerful links that can transform the way we look at movement.

If you are interested in exploring this further, both the theory and the practical application, join me for my online workshop where we dive into these relationships in more depth.