Hawaii Fitness Information

Inner thigh exercises can help you or be a waste of time. Learn how to use inner thigh exercises effectively.

This Pilates mat exercise works the endurance of the abdominals, and gives a great stretch to the hamstrings. It can be modified for different levels. Single straight leg stretch is part of the free Pilates mat exercise series.

Pilates exercises like spine stretch can help decrease back pain, including low back pain. Learn 10 beginner Pilates exercises that stretch and strengthen the back to help back pain.

Rainbow is a Pilates mat exercise that targets the hips and thighs. Lying on your side will require a good bit of core strength and stabilization effort from the abdominals as well. You can do rainbow with, or without, a magic circle.

Read this short biography of Joseph Pilates, the founder of the Pilates method of exercise and the inventor of the Pilates exercise equipment. Joseph Pilates story is an essential part of the history of Pilates.

A book for beginners, Pilates, The Essential Guide introduces the fundamentals of Pilates exercise and includes exercise instructions for a basic beginner workout. I like some things about this book. I also think it has some weaknesses you might want to consider before buying. Read my review.

Read More Pilates Book Reviews

photo: Need 2 Know Books

New Book Review: Pilates, the Essential Guide originally appeared on About.com Pilates on Friday, September 3rd, 2010 at 16:34:15.

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Scissors is an advanced Pilates exercise that calls for tremendous core strength, shoulder stability, pelvic stability, and hip flexibility. Get instructions for Pilates scissors exercise.

Learn how to design your own exercise workout. Whether you do Pilates or other exercise, you can learn to make a safe, effective workout program.

Head nod is the first move in many Pilates exercises. It is also a relaxation exercise that helps relieve stress in the neck. Here are free Pilates exercise instructions for head nod.

Cat and cow, a back stretch exercise from yoga and Pilates is one of the best. Get exercise instructions for cat-cow back stretch.

Criss Cross is a popular Pilates mat exercise for targeting the abdominal muscles, especially the obliques. Working the obliques supports posture, the ability to flex and rotate the torso, and trims the waist!

What is Pilates? Is Pilates a derivative of yoga? Is it only for women and wimps? Does Pilates exercise cater to flabby abdominals and ignore the rest? Take a look at the stories behind these and other erroneous ideas about the Pilates method.

Learn to modify Pilates exercises for safety or more challenge. Do Pilates exercises, and protect your neck and back, with these simple tips. Apply these basic modifications to matwork or reformer workouts.

Your hip flexors might be taking over your abdominal exercises. Learn to use Pilates to increase the power of your abdominal exercises by staying out of your hip flexors.

Pilates training is a scientific and detailed system of exercise. It is essential that you learn from a qualified Pilates instructor. Here are some tips to get you started thinking about the experience you would like to have in Pilates training.

Learn about how to exercise for sciatic nerve pain relief. Brent Anderson from Polestar Pilates talks about Pilates exercise for sciatica - what to do, and what not to do.

Joseph Pilates' book, Return to Life Through Contrology is essential Pilates reading. In it, Joseph Pilates writes about the philosophy of the Pilates method and gives instructions for Pilates mat exercises, including pictures.

Adding the fitness ball to Pilates' roll over exercise increases the challenge and helps work the inner thigh.

Can you stand comfortably, in a way that feels relaxed and supported by the core? Use this primer on Pilates and posture to help you access your core strength, and improve the way you stand and use your body.

Mermaid side stretch lengthens and opens the side body, it engages the scapula in the back, and it connects your stretch all the way through center. Use Mermaid as a gentle warm up or a more intense stretch later in your routine. This exercise is one of the free sample Pilates exercises at pilates.about.com.