false http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175791534m/557932.jpg 557932 4 Thin-but-fit supermodels like Amber Valletta and Shalom Harlow and actresses like <I>Ally McBeal</I>'s Courtney Thorne-Smith and Liv Tyler swear by Pilates workouts to keep their figures toned and flexible. <I>The Pilates Body</I> is the latest in a string of books dedicated to this fitness program, which is now soaring in popularity nearly 100 years after it was first developed by Joseph Pilates in Germany in the early 1900s. While today's Pilates studios take advantage of patented and intimidating-looking equipment that costs thousands of dollars (and therefore charge accordingly for private sessions), each exercise in <I>The Pilates Body</I> can be performed with just an exercise mat. While all parts of the body are used in the exercises, the focus is on the abdominals, or "powerhouse," which support the back; this makes Pilates an ideal exercise for those with back problems--or those hoping to prevent them.<p> Author Brooke Siler, who trained with Romana Kryzanowska, the oldest living protégé of Joseph Pilates, organizes her book impeccably. After discussing proper alignment and ways to modify the exercises for those with neck, knee, or lower back pain, she jumps right into the 60-plus exercises, which are divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. What differentiates Siler's book from the other Pilates titles is that she includes a disclaimer about the models: "The models in this book have been training in the Pilates method for years. Although their bodies may seem to represent an unrealistic ideal for many, they have worked hard to achieve their fitness goals. I hope in earnest that they do not intimidate but inspire." Also, each exercise is given a two-page spread of its own, and is accompanied by clear photographs and helpful graphics. For example, for the "inner-thigh lifts," there's an illustration suggesting that you imagine a stack of books on the lifting leg to help you increase resistance. Each exercise also includes what Siler calls "The Inside Scoop," or tips she's learned from training hundreds of clients. These include the main goal of the exercise; simple modifications for beginners; important keys to remember while doing the move; and no-nos to prevent injury. While it's important to concentrate and get the technique of each exercise down, Siler's book is perfect for anyone looking for a simple exercise program that promises results, requires a minimum of time, and can be done at home or while traveling. <I>--Erica Jorgensen</I> 545113 4 1 2000 The Pilates Body: The Ultimate At-Home Guide to Strengthening, Lengthening, and Toning Your Body--Without Machines total:96|5:16|4:40|3:32|2:8|1:0| 96 352 171 22 4 0 false false Fri May 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Fri May 01 05:38:22 -0700 2009 Fri May 01 05:38:22 -0700 2009
Simple, clear and well designed in terms of finding things to remind you of what to think about reg...more...]]> 0 0 false false Wed Sep 09 12:41:29 -0700 2009 Wed Sep 09 12:41:29 -0700 2009 4 0 false false Mon Aug 24 04:41:55 -0700 2009 Mon Aug 24 04:41:55 -0700 2009 4 0 true false Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Sun Jan 06 20:37:08 -0800 2008 Sun Jan 06 21:00:57 -0800 2008
A no-nonsense book that achieves its inte...more...]]> 3 0 false false Tue Apr 07 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Wed Apr 08 07:35:24 -0700 2009 Wed Apr 08 07:36:34 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2002 Sun Oct 04 07:52:21 -0700 2009 Sun Oct 04 07:52:54 -0700 2009 3 0 false false Sun Aug 24 22:04:43 -0700 2008 Sun Aug 24 22:06:58 -0700 2008 more...]]> 3 0 false false Fri Feb 29 21:27:22 -0800 2008 Fri Feb 29 21:35:42 -0800 2008 3 0 false false Sat Sep 19 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Thu Aug 27 06:58:09 -0700 2009 Mon Nov 02 13:30:19 -0800 2009 3 0 false false Tue Jan 01 06:48:20 -0800 2008 Tue Jan 01 06:55:35 -0800 2008 5 0 false false Mon Mar 10 12:07:40 -0700 2008 Mon Mar 10 12:09:14 -0700 2008 4 0 false false Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2002 Fri Nov 07 18:26:19 -0800 2008 Fri Nov 07 18:30:54 -0800 2008 3 0 false false Sun Feb 10 04:41:53 -0800 2008 Sun Feb 10 04:41:53 -0800 2008 do all the exercises just like Siler and I've yet to end up with a body like hers (where's the justice?)...]]> 5 0 false false Mon Jun 25 06:32:26 -0700 2007 Mon Jun 25 06:33:30 -0700 2007 4 0 false false Sun Jul 29 18:05:02 -0700 2007 Mon Mar 17 15:49:03 -0700 2008 0 0 false false Fri Jul 18 15:14:07 -0700 2008 Fri Jul 18 15:14:07 -0700 2008 4 0 false false Tue Jun 03 15:51:58 -0700 2008 Tue Jun 03 15:57:14 -0700 2008 4 0 false false Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 -0700 2002 Sun Jul 06 12:02:11 -0700 2008 Sun Jul 06 12:02:11 -0700 2008 3 0 false false Mon Oct 13 16:17:35 -0700 2008 Mon Oct 13 16:19:54 -0700 2008 3 0 false false Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2000 Sun Jul 27 09:10:22 -0700 2008 Sun Jul 27 09:10:22 -0700 2008 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=557932