You're no idiot, of course. You know that strengthening your stomach and spine can only improve your health and physical appearance. Maybe you've heard of the Pilates method-the training regimen that dancers, pro athletes, and celebrities swear by. But getting into a whole new workout has you tempted to just stay in bed.

Let the Pilates method help you grow upward, not outward! The Complete Idiot's Guide to the PIlates Method shows and tells all you need to know about the simple, fun method that's been keeping people fit for generations. It's no fad-it works! In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get:

A Pilates Primer-how and why the method works on evey body, inside and out.
Basics for better breathing and posture to get you started on the right foot.
Safe instruction for flexing and stretching toward your suppliest self.
Expert advice on the right equipment and how to use it-in the gym or at home.

Karon Karter is the co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide o Kickboxing, as well as The Healthy Traveler: Eight Steps to Healthful Flying. She is certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and teaches Pilates 'Mat' classes. Her Pilates class appears in Fitness magazine's 'Fitbuzz' column and everyweek on ESPN2's Crunch Fitness. She lives in Dallas, TX.

Contents

Part 1: Live in your body
1 Join the movement
Learn how Pilates works hand in hand with your real life and find a whole new way to get your body moving.
2 Fix your frame
Find out how Pilates can improve your posture. One of the hallmarks of Pilates is that it can alleviate most back pain.
3 Take your breath
Discover how your breath can enhance your life.
4 (Re)Discover the perfect body
Find out what the Pilates method can do for you and how to train yourself right.
Part 2: Show me the mat
5 Befriend your body
Joseph Pilates understood the secret to attaining poise and grace. You need to work the body from within-every muscle evenly; no matter how small.
6 Sculpt yourself into shape
Now you're ready to tackle the mat workout. Follow the introductory exercises in this chapter, and you're off to a great start.
7 Get the man-made mat body
Great bodies are made, not born. It's the exercises in this chapter that give you body results. You, too, can obtain the man-made body.
8 Graduate to the 'It' body
Love-handle free and loving life. Add seven new exercises to your mat routine to chisel your body so that you can flaunt it.
Part 3: Moving on up
9 Smart sweating
It's time to sweat! Put an edge on the introductory work. You'll add several advanced mat exercises that turn the heat way up.
10 The intelligent workout
As you complete the mat finish line, you'll find out why your brain, along with your muscles, is challenged to the max.
11 The anticellulite solution
Shouldn't those dimples be reserved for your face-cheeks? you can tighten those areas that seem to travel south with the side-kick series in this chapter.
12 Flexing muscles
Whittle away the flabby skin that waddles long after you've lifted your arm to wave hello. With the standing arms series in this chapter, you'll be saying hello to slender, defined arms.
Part 4: Instruments of torture
13 Bodyi reformer: The rack
You'll wiggle into a weird-looking medieval device, wrap your toes around a bar, hold on to a pair of leather handles, and pull back and forth on a bed-like platform. This chapter introduces you to the beginning Universal Reformer workout.
14 Bednasium: The Cadillac
Find out about the variety of full-body moves that you can do with the Cadillac, a medieval-looking bed with springs and a trapeze. These moves bring you back to the days of hanging off a swing set.
15 Body in motion: The Wunda Chair
It does 'Wunders' for your body. You need more than strength to tackle the exercises on the Wunda Chair. Joseph Pilates said, 'Everyone needs one in his living room.'
16 Spinal soother: The Barrels
Joseph PIlates said,'You're as old as your spine is flexible.' In this chapter, you'll see a few exercises that leave you feeling oh-so-stretched!
17 Simply fit: he magic circle
You prefer to exercise at home. Besides convenient, it's prudent. Enter the magic circle, another Joseph Pilates invention.
Part 5: Forever fit
18 The art of teaching
Find out if you have what it takes to join the Pilates movement.
19 If you build it, they will come
Don't just sculpt your butt-save it. Why not open up a Pilates gym? Learn how to get started and make a good living while teaching your passion, Pilates.
20 The many faces of Joseph Pilates
For years master teachers have passed on Joseph Pilates's work. Find out what style is right for you.
Appendixes
A Certification programs
B Glossary
Index