| This book is designed to be an introduction to Pilates | | | | He then includes a basic workout, then exercises for |
| for people over the age of 50. | | | | specific problems, such as stiff hands, tennis and |
| It's not very comprehensive in its coverage of Pilates, | | | | golfer's elbow, frozen shoulder, neck and upper back |
| but that's ok for this purpose. | | | | problems, breathing problems, lower back pain, scoliosis, |
| It starts out with basic information on how one purpose | | | | uneven leg lengths, sciatica, hip replacements (though |
| of Pilates is to improve your posture, because that | | | | none specifically for knee replacements, I guess |
| helps improve the health of your inner organs and | | | | because he also includes many knee exercises), weak |
| breathing, which are critical to overall health. | | | | knees, foot and ankle problems, heart disease, for |
| He starts out with the no doubt correct belief that the | | | | retaining good circulation, recovery from stroke, and |
| reader has many longstanding bad habits related to | | | | osteoporosis. |
| how you sit, stand, walk and move through your daily | | | | He also include some exercises for people in |
| life -- and sleep as well. He offers useful advice in all | | | | wheelchairs. |
| these areas, and everything is demonstrated by | | | | He then gives three workouts: easy, moderate and |
| models who are also over the age of 50 -- not the | | | | challenging. |
| usual beautiful young people. | | | | Frankly, I suspect that people with lots of Pilates |
| He includes sections on how to find your abs and | | | | experience will not find any of these exercises, but this |
| glutes, obviously assuming many readers are so out of | | | | is not a book designed for advanced students. |
| shape they need help feeling their muscles. | | | | The end of the book contains testimonials for the |
| There are sections on positions for sleeping | | | | author and his Pilates studio. They're quite impressive. |
| comfortably, stimulating your circulation before getting | | | | But I suspect that helping all those elderly and severely |
| out of bed, and for getting out of bed. For doing your | | | | injured people was a lot more technically involved than |
| hair or other activities in front of a wash basin. For | | | | the exercises in this book. |
| going up and down stairs. And for lifting and carrying. | | | | Therefore, you should treat this just as an introduction. |
| (He advises splitting your load up into two bags rather | | | | If you have severe physical problems now, whatever |
| than trying to carry just one bag, which makes you | | | | age you are, you should check out the Pilates studios |
| lopsided. That sounds good, but goes against airline | | | | and classes in your area, because no book will come |
| regulations allowing us only one carry-on bag, and the | | | | up with a program designed especially for you. |
| natural human inclination to fill up both bags, if allowed.) | | | | If you're just over age 50 and want to stay in or get |
| There are also sections on proper posture for riding | | | | into good health, this is a good place to start, though I'm |
| and driving in cars, for doing household chores, various | | | | sure you should also go to a local Pilates class if |
| sports, and nutrition advice. | | | | available. |