Introduce your children to Pilates with My First Book of Pilates and encourage them to get to know their bodies through flexibility, coordination, and play. Featuring simple, colorful step-by-step guidance, My First Book of Pilates gives kids an introduction to the popular exercise program adults have enjoyed for so many years. A dozen poses have been specially selected for their efficacy and approachability. Each page compares one of the 12 poses to an example kids can understand, such as stretching like a swan, curling up like a hedgehog, or kicking like a frog. By learning about Pilates, kids can gain physical benefits such as better posture and improved strength and flexibility. But they can also gain a better awareness of their body, as well as develop a more relaxed state of mind by learning about this mindful practice. My First Book of Pilates is the perfect introduction to a balanced body for young children!

Pilates has become a worldwide phenomenon with over 12 million people practicing, and the numbers continue to grow. Pilates exercises build muscle tone, improve flexibility and balance, lengthen the spine, increase body awareness, and repair past injuries, helping people to feel stronger and more energized, centered and physically confident. Pilates Practice Companion is the one-stop guide for Pilates novices as well as those hoping to consolidate what they already know. The book is accessible and user-friendly, with a warm, reassuring tone. With beautiful specially commissioned step-by-step photography and clear instructions on each exercise, as well as key features, such as annotated photographs of common faults and a list of the physical and mental benefits of each exercise, the book demonstrates how to practice Pilates without costly classes and equipment. The exercises are separated into chapters - beginner, intermediate, and advanced-allowing readers to focus on the exercises that are relevant to them and to progress at their own pace. At the end of each of these chapters, there are specially devised programs of Pilates exercises of 20-, 40- and 60-minutes each, letting readers pick and choose depending on the time available. This book offers a more holistic approach to Pilates than other Pilates books. A chapter on The Benefits of Pilates gives a fascinating overview of the ways that Pilates can maintain or restore the health of the body. With the help of specially commissioned anatomical drawings, it explains how Pilates exercises work on and benefit everything from posture, flexibility and strength, to energy levels and integrating body and mind. The final chapter, Pilates Every Day, offers advice on how to use Pilates in all aspects of life-at work, for winding down, and for rehabilitation, for example. It also includes advice on healthy eating, helping readers to make better food choices to feel more energized and balanced. Pilates Practice Companion is an accessible, authoritative and inspiring resource to guide people of all abilities in their practice of Pilates.

Comprehensive and easy-to-follow, this original Pilates best-seller produces real results. It includes three levels of workouts and six routines that provide something for every person who wants the strength, flexibility, fitness and pain relief that have made Pilates workouts so popular. Pilates exercises offer a complete fitness system. They combine key elements of yoga and bodywork with original techniques that strengthen the "core" muscles of the torso while increasing flexibility throughout the body. Rather than building bulk, the techniques create sculpted muscles, reduce stress and increase energy. Special Features of this Book * A thorough introduction to the history and philosophy of Pilates' techniques * Detailed descriptions of 115 Pilates exercises in basic, intermediate and advanced routines * 176 step-by-step photographs illustrating the exercises * A special chapter on pain relief for back, knees, hips, shoulders, ankles and feet * A special section for athletes, with strength-building and flexibility exercises This New Edition Includes Special Sections on * The Stamina Stretch-to increase breathing capacity and support core abdominal muscles * The B-Line Core-to give support for routines, a trimmer waist and relief from back pain * How to change the way you walk to prevent back pain and tension headaches * Back-strengthening routines for rotational sports like golf, tennis and racquetball * Upper-body exercises for computer users Most Pilates books don't address the different needs of beginners, advanced practitioners and athletes-but this book is different. Written by a former top college athlete, it can be used by both beginners and instructors to complement sports-training programs. The exercises are also perfect for people who simply want to get in shape. Use this book as your personal training manual as you explore your fitness potential to the fullest!

This beautifully illustrated volume provides a comprehensive guide to fascia-focused movement in original and contemporary Pilates mat, reformer, and studio applications. Each of the book's 14 chapters illustrates how each principle of fascia-focused movement is expressed in Pilates exercise. In addition to a comprehensive exercise compendium, Fascia in Motion includes chapters on specialized applications of fascia-focused movement in Pilates including: Pilates fascia-focused movement for aging well Pilates fascia-focused movement for computer posture Pilates fascia-focused movement for osteoporosis Pilates fascia-focused movement for hip and knee replacement The text is supplemented with links to video of Elizabeth Larkam demonstrating each of the exercises personally. A truly stunning achievement and the synthesis of a lifetime's dedication to the art and science of Pilates.

An exercise program designed to be safe and beneficial for those with osteoporosis—and those trying to prevent it. Often, people think they’ve simply strained their backs or overdone it during exercise—but in reality, small fractures have occurred. In some cases, many tiny fractures can develop before a person sees a doctor about increasing back pain. The more tiny fractures that accumulate, the greater the deformity of the spine. Karena Thek Lineback’s goal is to make sure this does not happen to you. Her four-part plan consists of: Safe movement for exercise and everyday living Postural awareness Diet Medication In this book, you’ll find safe movement guidelines and an entire exercise program of Osteo Pilates designed to be safe for those with osteoporosis, to help you greatly reduce your risk of injury or debilitating fracture. You’ll also find the nuts and bolts of osteoporosis information necessary to combat this crippling condition. You’ll learn what causes osteoporosis (perhaps you have a habit that is decreasing your bone density right now!); the effect menopause has on bone density; what dietary habits will help improve bone density; and which medications are available for increasing bone density. There is much you can do to prevent osteoporosis and to decrease the negative effects low bone density can have on your life and well-being. Osteo Pilates tells you what to do, and how.

Fit exercise into your busy life with short but effective Pilates programs. Do you struggle to practise Pilates regularly? Stress no more: these four 15-minute programs offer the flexibility and ease of use that busy lifestyles demand. At home, with just a mat and some weights, build these 15-minute routines into your week to get the lean, sculpted body you've always wanted. Clear, step-by-step photographs paired with easy-to-follow instructions explain exactly what to do in each move, targeted "feel it here" graphics help you to understand which part of your body to focus on, and at-a-glance reminders at the end of each 15-minute program show all the poses in sequence. 15-Minute Pilates will inspire you to make Pilates part of your weekly routine, so you will soon reap the benefits of enhanced health and wellness.