The Pilates Program for Every Body

Many Pilates books focus on the flab-free abs that the now-famous""core workout"" promises, but Brown's program offers a gentler and more comprehensive approach to the Pilates philosophy. Brown's claim to fame is that she's the former personal trainer to Princess Diana, but her thorough and easy-to-follow Pilates routines should earn her respect from humbler citizens too. She starts with teaching how to align one's back and pelvis in a""neutral"" position, with extensive instructions on how to achieve this whether standing, sitting or lying prone or supine.""The pelvis is the largest bone in the body and is attached to the largest muscles in the body,"" she says, so incorrect alignment can cause poor circulation and back pain. She then moves through working core muscles, lengthening the back and, most importantly, maintaining the resulting tone and strength. Brown promises results from just 15 minutes a day, but true novices may need more time to learn the multiple steps involved in some moves before they become that speedy. Many exercises feature 12 or more points to be mindful of; for the""cat stretch,"" for example, elbow joints should be""soft,"" pelvic-floor muscles should be""engaged,"" and wrists, elbows, and shoulders should be aligned. A variety of male and female models--refreshingly, there's a woman who appears to be in her 60s--perform the exercises in full-color photographs. While it's difficult to replicate the effects of a Pilates in-studio workout with a trainer at your side, with a little practice this handy spiral-bound book with an easel back should be a welcome alternative.