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.

Take a detailed look at your Pilates practice with the superbly illustrated exercises in Pilates Anatomy, Second Edition. Choose from 46 exercises to target a particular body region and delve deeper to stretch, strengthen, and finely coordinate specific muscles. See which key muscles are activated, how variations and minor adjustments can influence effectiveness, and how breathing, alignment, and movement are all fundamentally linked as you work to tone the body, stabilize the core, improve balance, and increase flexibility. Use the Personalize Your Practice section for each exercise to vary your practice and customize your workouts to fit your needs. Here you’ll find modifications to make each exercise more accessible when there are limitations such as tight hamstrings or underdeveloped core strength. Variations provide variety, and progressions are offered to add more challenge to each exercise and serve as valuable stepping stones on your journey to more advanced Pilates exercise. Also included are techniques for breathing, concentration, and self-awareness, providing a unique exercise experience that enhances your body and your mind. Whether you are just beginning to explore the beauty and benefits of Pilates or have been practicing for years, Pilates Anatomy is a one-of-a-kind resource that you’ll refer to again and again. Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes both the book and exam.

Discovering Pure Classical Pilates looks deeply into Joseph Pilates' traditional method of mental and physical conditioning by describing its foundations, goals, movement qualities and benefits. Specific attention is given to the ways in which market forces, individual creativity or ambition lead to deterioration and commercialization of the traditional Pilates method. This book harkens back in time to Joseph Pilates' own two books-Your Health (1934) and Return to Life Through Contrology (1945)-by exploring social, economic, psychological and spiritual issues associated with his traditional work. There is so much more to Discovering Pure Classical Pilates! Within this book, you will uncover the passionate and priceless treasures found only in the historically accurate technique as taught by traditionalists throughout the world.

An illustrated, anatomical guide to improve the benefits of your Pilates workout while also preventing injury • Examines the correct movements, specific risks, and common mistakes associated with 8 fundamental Pilates exercises, including practices using Pilates exercise equipment • Offers guidelines to increase the effectiveness of your Pilates workout, maintain correct alignment, improve stability, and prevent injury to the pelvis, back, wrists, and ankles Developed in the early 20th century by accomplished boxer and gymnast Joseph Pilates, the Pilates Method aligns the body, builds long, lean muscles, and develops core abdominal strength. However, practiced improperly, Pilates exercises can lead to injuries such as pinched discs, hyperextension of the wrists, or low-back pain. No-Risk Pilates reveals how to minimize the risk of injury and maximize physical benefit for a strong, toned, and aligned physique. Using Blandine Calais-Germain’s signature anatomical style, this illustrated guide examines the body’s movements during 8 fundamental Pilates exercises, including practices using the Pilates Reformer, and explores the specific risks and common mistakes associated with each exercise. Detailing how injuries occur to the pelvis, back, wrists, and ankles during Pilates, the authors offer tips and guidelines to maintain correct alignment, improve stability, and prevent injury as well as increase the effectiveness of your Pilates workout.

The Pilates® method may be today's hottest exercise, but it has been endorsed by physicians for almost a century. Originally developed by Joseph H. Pilates to help strengthen and condition muscles, Pilates is the ultimate mind-body exercise for anyone who wants to tone, streamline, and realign their body without the bulked-up results of more conventional workout methods. Now, in The Pilates® Body, author Brooke Siler--one of the most sought-after personal trainers in the country and owner of New York's top studio for Pilates training, re:AB--provides a complete, easy-to follow program of Pilates exercises that can be done anywhere, anytime, and without machines. With step-by-step instructions, Siler guides the reader through the complete circuit of mat exercises, each of which is clearly illustrated by photographs, line drawings, and unique visualization exercises. With Pilates you will not only streamline your figure--you will dramatically improve your posture, flexibility, and balance, and enhance your physical and emotional well-being. The Pilates Body shows you how.

Book & CD. Pilates is probably the most sophisticated and sought after form of exercise today. Since the 1920's it has been used to strengthen and stretch the bodies of professional dancers and athletes alike. Now, after 75 years, Pilates has become mainstream, finding its way into people's homes through dozens of how-to books and videos. Yet, these instructional materials are incomplete. This CD provides the missing ingredient. It allows you to take an actual mat class under the direction and motivating voice of an experienced instructor with no equipment, no pages to turn and no TV required. Portable Pilates is a 45-minute mat class as taught at Alycea Ungaro's Real Pilates in New York City. Owner and certified instructor Ungaro conducts the class in clear, easy-to-follow instructions. Original music and creative sound effects provide the student with the necessary cues, tempo, and dynamic for each exercise. This item is intended for those with prior Pilates experience.