BOOKS

Pilates on the Ball, with DVD

by Colleen Craig, $27

Certified Pilates trainer Colleen Craig offers us a unique and exciting synthesis of the Pilates Method of body conditioning and the Swiss exercise ball, providing a new, low-impact way to get fit. Using the exercise ball, there is no need for the expensive equipment or studio time required in Pilates training. Developed in the early twentieth century by accomplished boxer and gymnast Joseph Pilates, the Pilates Method--named by many lifestyle and fitness magazines as the hottest workout of the decade--aligns the body, builds long, lean muscles, and develops core abdominal strength.

The exercise ball, used by Olympic coaches, dancers, and athletes to heighten body awareness and enhance performance, provides a perfect base for performing the graceful, strength-building Pilates movements. Throughout her program Craig integrates the mind and body, offering breathing and relaxation techniques that accompany the ballwork. The personal stories and inspirational quotes included in the text illustrate how Pilates can improve your way of life. A handy exercise log makes it possible to track your workouts and monitor your individual progress. And, most important, step-by-step instructions and more than 300 photographs detail the Pilates principles and challenge all ability levels. Intense enough to engage seasoned athletes yet gentle enough to alleviate chronic pain and help heal injuries, Pilates on the Ball builds strong, flexible bodies and healthy minds in an innovative way.