Pilates Books

NEW! Mind Your Body: Pilates for the Seated Professional

by Juli Kagan

An excellent tool for anyone who spends much of the day seated. Achieve better posture, both in the chair and out of it. Photo illustrations and easy to follow instructions lead you through each movement. Includes mat exercises as well as seated stretches that can easily be performed in an office chair. Paperback, black and white photographs, 158 pages.

NEW! Pilates Take Out

by Body Works Studio

Take your Pilates workout on the go with this handy "flip-chart." Easy-to-follow, durable booklet includes 10 mat exercises with Beginner and Intermediate variations. It has everything you need: directions on how to perform each exercise, what to avoid, and what its purpose is. Fold-out base allows it stand up on its own. Spiral-bound, illustrated with color photographs, 13 pages.

NEW! Pilates for the Outdoor Athlete

by Lauri Ann Stricker

Whether you ski, bike, hike, paddle, run or climb, Pilates can help you improve sports performance with better muscle balance, flexibility, strength, and balance. Sections for each of 13 outdoor sports cover self-assessment, basic movement and posture, and a wealth of tools, plus a 15-minute workout with exercises for each sport.

NEW! Morning Pilates Workouts

by Cathleen Murakami

Easily maximize the benefits of your early-day routine, and adjust to your energy level or schedule for any particular day. Included are nine workout options containing light, moderate, and intense routines, lasting for 20, 40 or 60 minutes. Also included - nutritional advice and ways to improve your workout environment. Clear instructions with photo illustrations make this book simple to follow. Paperback, black and white, 220 pages.

NEW! The Golfer's Guide to Pilates: Step-by-Step Exercises to Strengthen Your Game

by Monica Clyde

Increase swing strength and efficiency. Includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced workouts to improve your golf game. Gain greater flexibility, increase core strength, and give yourself a better golf swing! Includes easy-to-learn Pilates exercises with step-by-step photos. This program will raise your physical ability, transforming your game into one of absolute control and power. Illustrated with black and white photos, paperback, 144 pages.

NEW! The New Rules of Posture: How to Sit, Stand and Move in the Modern World

by Mary Bond

Take a new approach to posture by looking at it from the inside out. A resource for Pilates instructors and health care professionals to educate people on how to relieve chronic pain via postural changes. Bond identifies key anatomical features that affect posture, and presents exercises to change it. Paperback, black and white, 41 illustrations, 240 pages.

NEW! Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology

by Karen Clippinger, MSPE

A great resource to learn or refresh your understanding of anatomical and biomechanical principles. Focuses on optimal dance movement and the related principles for understanding how body joints function. The first two chapters cover basics on the skeletal and muscular systems. Chapters 3 through 7 get specific on the spine, pelvic girdle, hip joint, knee, ankle, foot, and upper extremity. Chapters cover primary bones, muscles, joints, alignment deviations, mechanics, and injuries for the given region. You'll also find strength and flexibility exercises to help dancers improve technique and prevent injuries. 250 illustrations, 350 photographs. Hardcover, 532 pages.

NEW! Stretching Anatomy

by Arnold G. Nelson & Jouko Kokkonen

See inside every stretch - and maximize flexibility! Color illustrations show the muscles in action. Learn changes in position that can alter muscle emphasis and difficulty, and variations to improve safety and effectiveness. Each exercise includes detailed instructions on how to stretch, the primary and secondary muscles affected, and which muscles are activated for support. Three levels of difficulty. Paperback, color, 140 pages.

NEW! Inner Focus/Outer Strength

by Eric Franklin

Imagery and exercise for Health, Strength and Beauty. Finding joy in movement is Eric Franklin’s goal. He presents a different way to think about every part of your body, from head to feet, by using imagery in your daily life – whether at the gym, in the office, walking or doing housework. Get maximum benefit through easy workout sequences that combine exercise and imagery. Franklin shows how to achieve a sense of well-being throughout the entire body by building mental awareness, expanding your kinesthetic sense, overcoming stiffness to become more flexible, and experiencing relaxation from tension and stress. Paperback, black and white, 131 pages.

NEW! Pelvic Power

by Eric Franklin

For men and women: mind/body exercises for strength, flexibility, posture, and balance. Want to find new vitality, confidence and be pain free? Combining scientific principles with movement and imagery exercises – both effective and fun – Pelvic Power demonstrates how to create a stronger body by toning the pelvic floor. Increase your energy flow by training the muscles and joints and improving the tone of the organs. Paperback, black and white, 114 pages.

Conditioning for Dance

by Eric Franklin

Improve your technique and performance in all dance forms by strengthening the body’s core while improving your coordination, balance, alignment and flexibility. The results: more lift without tension, deeper plies, higher jumps with less effort, tighter turns, and improved extension and turn-out. Innovative, proven techniques help you execute key movements better. 160 dance-specific exercises maximize your body-mind conditioning. Book concludes with a 20-minute full body workout designed to help you warm up, condition, and refine your dance technique. Paperback, black and white, 235 pages.

The Pilates Deck

by Shirley Sugimura

Finding time to exercise is one of life's challenges. Keep the Pilates Deck handy – it fits in your handbag – and squeeze valuable minutes of exercise into your busy routine. It comes with 50 exercise and stretch cards, as well as suggested sequences so you can choose the workout that best fits your schedule and energy level. Box of 50 cards plus sequence instructions.

On A Roll @ Home Kit, Book with Roller

by Donna Gambino

A home exercise program on the foam roller. Try this method of strengthening, stretching and deep muscle massage, and you'll be amazed at how great you feel and look. The foam roller offers an effective workout that doesn't require you to "feel the burn" or do 100 boring repetitions. You'll gain strength and relief from muscle tension, but most of it is done unconsciously just by balancing on the roller! 50 exercises. Paperback, black and white, 90 pages. Purchase the book alone, or save 15% if purchased together with one True Blue Magic Roller.

Beginners Guide to Pilates

by Sian Williams

This comprehensive, fully illustrated guide opens the door to the wide range of health benefits that Pilates practice can bring. It starts with a self-assessment to determine your level of physical ability, and explains the fundamentals of Pilates. Then you're ready to begin your Pilates exercise program. With hints, tips and advice at every turn, 36 step-by-step sequences take you through a complete workout for the body and mind. Paperback, color. 96 pages.

Pilates for Dressage Riders

by Janice Dulak

The goals of Pilates are often identical to what dressage riders try to achieve in the saddle. They share an emphasis on the torso and achieving core strength, good posture and muscle flexibility. This book provides an introduction to Pilates and offers workouts for home or in the saddle. Its goals: to help the rider understand and gain control over the engagement of her own spine, and to improve her riding by using the knowledge gained through the practice of Pilates. Clear photos and detailed instructions clarify each exercise. Hardcover, black and white, 152 pages.

Total Core Fitness

by Kathy Corey

Feel fitter and perform normal daily activities more easily. Drawing on the best exercises for core strength from yoga, Pilates, weight training, and the stability ball, Total Core Fitness is your handbook for building a healthy core, whether you're 16 or 60. The emphasis is not on repetitions or building muscles, but on improving your health, well-being, and strength. Enrich the quality of your life with a fitter and more functional body that moves fluidly and performs daily activities with greater ease. Floor and standing exercises done alone, or with the CORE Band, hand weights and stability ball ("fit ball"). Paperback, color, 159 pages.

Yogilates: Integrating Yoga and Pilates for Complete Fitness, Strength and Flexibility

by Jonathan Urla

See and feel your body get stronger and longer. Combining the breathing, flexibility and quieting mind of traditional yoga with the core strength and power developed through Pilates mat exercise. Yogilates can help you gain a better sense of balance and greater flexibility. With over 250 photographs and illustrations, this book covers the philosophy behind Yogilates as well as the technique. Full routines for beginners to advanced. Paperback, black and white, 196 pages.

Stretching

by Suzanne Martin, PT, DPT

Stretching can transform your life. It is a simple and instantly gratifying form of physical release that can energize or relax you. For the young and old, stretching is key if you want to stay healthy and supple. This practical head-to-toe guide provides quick home exercises that fit easily into your daily life. Remodel your body in just 21 days, stretches for different life states, ease everyday stresses and strains. Paperback, color, 160 pages.

Strength Training on the Ball

by Colleen Craig

Strength and anti-aging, and regaining the strength and playfulness of youth are just two chapters of this book. Craig focuses on building strong bones and improving balance while toning and defining the body. She combines the unique functions of the exercise ball with the endurance and flexibility benefits of Pilates-based training. Step-by-step instructions teach more than 140 exercises using weights, balls, bands and the body's own resistance. Three strength-training workouts: a therapeutic workout for those recovering from injuries, a basic workout for beginners, and a challenging workout for athletes and gym enthusiasts. Paperback, black and white, 261 pages.

Exercise for Pregnancy and Beyond

by Elizabeth Jones-Boswell

A program designed to help ease the discomfort of pregnancy while gaining the benefits of Pilates. Using these principles, women can enjoy a stronger, healthier and easier pregnancy and postpartum. Clear and concise instructions as well as step-by-step illustrations will aid you in understanding and performing daily exercises and are safe and effective for the prenatal body. Spiral bound, black and white, 142 pages.

You may also be interested in our Pilates videos for pregnancy.

Pilates on the Ball

by Colleen Craig

This excellent book and DVD are a comprehensive guide to Pilates exercise on the ball. Detailed chapters cover breathing, postural exercises, abdominal exercises, extensions, arm and footwork, restoration and rebuilding, stretching, stress management and cardiovascular exercise. Step-by-step instructions teach you more than 50 exercises and stretches, illustrated with more than 180 photographs. Three workouts - Restorative Ball, Basic Ball and Intermediate Ball - are illustrated in the book. You can also follow the workouts on the 44-minute DVD. Paperback, black and white, 179 pages. See the Fit Ball.

Equilates: A Gymnastic Riding System Using Mind, Body, and Spirit Progressive Training for Rider and Horse

by Betsy Steiner with Jennifer Bryant

Most books on dressage discuss the physical aspects of riding: position of horse and rider, use of aids, and movements. International dressage rider and trainer Betsy Steiner takes a different approach. Her program gives equal attention to the body, mind, and spirit of rider and horse as they ascend the classical training pyramid together. Betsy's integrated approach contains a program of Pilates exercises for the rider (mat and reformer exercises) and gymnastic body-building exercises for the horse. The book discusses many qualities vital to success: alignment and coordination, relaxation and flow, mental focus, forwardness, trust and confidence, obedience and work ethic. Betsey Steiner is a teacher, trainer, and clinician who has ridden for the United States Dressage Team in international competition, and is known for her numerous articles on training and rider fitness. Her Equilates education program teaches Pilates instructors to help riders achieve optimum performance. Hardbound, color, 272 pages with 165 color photos and 35 color drawings.

The Osteoporosis Exercise Book: Building Better Bones

by Sherri Betz, PT

This is a companion book to the mat DVD of the same name, and to The Osteoporosis Workout DVD featuring seated and standing exercises. Physical Therapist Sherri Betz created this guide to help you incorporate safe Pilates mat exercises into your bone-building program. The exercises will help you build bone density of the spine and hip, improve posture and balance, and increase flexibility and mobility. You will also learn how to avoid movements that increase the risk of fracture. Includes photos, nutritional recommendations, and some of the latest research findings on Osteoporosis. Spiral bound, black and white, 96 pages.

A Pilates Primer: The Millennium Edition
Pilates' Return to Life Through Contrology / Your Health

by Joseph Pilates

This edition combines two of Joseph Pilates' published works in one volume. "Contrology is the complete coordination of mind, body and spirit," wrote Joseph Pilates. In Return to Life, first published in 1945, Pilates defines the concept of "Contrology" with specific advice regarding posture, body mechanics, correct breathing, spinal flexibility and physical education. He demonstrates his original 34 mat exercises, which are now basic repertoire in Pilates training. Each exercise is demonstrated by Pilates himself at the age of 60 in a series of photos accompanied by detailed instructions. Your Health, originally published in 1934, explains Joseph Pilates' early theories about health and fitness. It's a fascinating look into the mind of the man who revolutionized fitness, and whose teachings form the foundation of a discipline now embraced by fitness enthusiasts, health educators, rehabilitation specialists, and exercise trainers around the world. Paperback, black and white, 158 pages.

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