A Morning Cup of Pilates: One 15-Minute Routine to Invigorate the Body, Mind, & Spirit

A colorfully illustrated 15-minute exercise routine designed to introduce the reader to the basics of Pilates?a fitness program that is becoming more and more popular. This body sculpting technique has been used for years by dancers to build long, flexible muscles, increase body awareness, and improve posture. Now anyone can do Pilates at home, without any special equipment aside from a kitchen chair. The entire routine is done sitting or standing. Pilates uses a combination of stretching and resistance against the body?s own weight to achieve an improved overall fitness profile, reducing both pounds and inches. The audio CD walks readers through the entire routine.

Marsha Dorman is a certified physical therapist and director of the Pilates program at St. Vincent?s Hospital Fitness and Wellness Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Marsha was first introduced to Pilates while a young student of physical therapy and quickly recognized the benefits of Pilates as a tool for wellness and rehabilitation. She was drawn to the work of Elizabeth Larkam and Brent Anderson at Polestar Education in Miami, where she participated in a Pilates-based education program for physical therapists. She continued her Pilates education at The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado. She is now a registered Pilates instructor and a member of the Pilates Method Alliance.