The visible motion we see when somebody raises her arms is the result of voluntary movement of superficial muscles. In a very simplified explanation, when we decide to move an extremity, the following occurs:

• The intent to move is noted by the brain.
• This intention is translated into a message that travels from the brain via the central nervous system (CNS), through the spinal cord, and out to the muscles.
• The muscles stabilizing the trunk adjust for the portending action before it begins.
• After the core is stabilized, the message to move reaches the targeted muscle groups.

When you watch highly skilled athletes or dancers, they are able to change directions quickly. They maintain their balance while shifting their weight, and these actions seem to flow from their very center – their core. As with practitioners of t’ai chi or karate, athletes and dancers move from their center of gravity. These movements define core stability at its best.

The beauty of these motions relies on complex patterns deep within the CNS. Balanced movement begins in the CNS and moves outward. Like seeds residing at the very core of an apple, the seeds of our movements lie deep within our physical core, within our intrinsic muscles. The intrinsic muscles – also called core stabilizing muscles – are responsible for joint stability, mobility, and posture.