Lesley Ackland - 20 MINUTES TO MASTER ... PILATES

20 Minutes to Master Buddhism

20 Minutes to Master Feng Shui

20 Minutes to Master Meditation

20 Minutes to Master NLP

20 Minutes to Master Past Life Therapy

20 Minutes to Master Stress Management

20 Minutes to Master Wicca

20 Minutes to Master Yoga

20 Minutes to Master Your Psychic Potential

Lesley Ackland founded the highly acclaimed Pilates-based Body Maintenance Studio in London’s Covent Garden over 20 years ago, and for five years she was Remedial Exercise Consultant to the Birmingham Royal Ballet. She is the author of 15-Minute Pilates , 10-Step Pilates and Pilates Body Power .

This book is split into two parts. The first part, First Directions: Pilates , is an original, previously published work from an expert in the field. It’s a comprehensive and insightful introduction to the subject, explaining the ideas and techniques that will allow you to develop a true understanding and practise it every day.

The second part is 20 Minutes to Master Pilates , which you’ll find here . This is your Pilates cheat-sheet – a short and lucid look at the ideas and techniques covered in the first section, which will only take you 20 minutes to read. It’s a powerful and invaluable resource that you’ll return to again and again.

If you want to truly master Pilates – in both the short term and the long term – look no further. The answers are here.

Cover

Title Page IN THE SAME SERIES 20 Minutes to Master Buddhism 20 Minutes to Master Feng Shui 20 Minutes to Master Meditation 20 Minutes to Master NLP 20 Minutes to Master Past Life Therapy 20 Minutes to Master Stress Management 20 Minutes to Master Wicca 20 Minutes to Master Yoga 20 Minutes to Master Your Psychic Potential

In the Same Series

About the Author ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lesley Ackland founded the highly acclaimed Pilates-based Body Maintenance Studio in London’s Covent Garden over 20 years ago, and for five years she was Remedial Exercise Consultant to the Birmingham Royal Ballet. She is the author of 15-Minute Pilates , 10-Step Pilates and Pilates Body Power .

About this Book ABOUT THIS BOOK This book is split into two parts. The first part, First Directions: Pilates , is an original, previously published work from an expert in the field. It’s a comprehensive and insightful introduction to the subject, explaining the ideas and techniques that will allow you to develop a true understanding and practise it every day. The second part is 20 Minutes to Master Pilates , which you’ll find here . This is your Pilates cheat-sheet – a short and lucid look at the ideas and techniques covered in the first section, which will only take you 20 minutes to read. It’s a powerful and invaluable resource that you’ll return to again and again. If you want to truly master Pilates – in both the short term and the long term – look no further. The answers are here.

FIRST DIRECTIONS: PILATES

PILATES PILATES Pilates is a disciplined, focused form of exercise, designed to strengthen ligaments and joints, increase flexibility and lengthen the muscles.

Introduction INTRODUCTION Do you dream of a flat stomach, a longer, leaner body and superb posture? Do you wish to improve your overall appearance? If so, then Pilates will help you achieve all this – and more. In this book you will discover a unique bodywork system that will help you transform your body and develop a physical presence and energy that exudes total confidence and grace. While most people have heard of Pilates, few know exactly what it entails. Pilates is a very disciplined, focused form of exercise, designed to strengthen ligaments and joints, increase flexibility and lengthen the muscles. The main emphasis is on ‘elongating’ the body to create a longer, leaner and taller silhouette. However, Pilates differs from other exercise regimes by going beyond the purely physical. This is a holistic discipline that integrates the mind, body and spirit. It is a philosophy of movement that brings about mental and physical integration. If you have never tried this type of exercise before, you will be surprised by its apparent simplicity. The slow, controlled movements enable energy to move more freely throughout the body. The visualization techniques gently help to focus the mind so that each exercise is executed with ultimate precision. With Pilates there is no need for over-exertion. The emphasis is on quality, not quantity. It’s not about how much you do but, rather, how you do it. This is good news indeed for those of you who have become disillusioned and bored with fitness programmes that may not suit you. If you want a long, lean look, with a minimum of effort in the safest way, you merely have to follow the guidelines in this book. Most of the techniques are based on the idea of using your own body to create resistance, so there is no need for any complicated props. All you need is a willing body and a curious mind. Before you attempt any of the exercises, though, it is important that you first become acquainted with the underlying principles outlined in chapters 1 to 4. Pilates promises no quick fixes or sudden improvements. However, with concentration and commitment, the end result will be rewarding and nothing short of enhanced physical and mental well-being.

1 The Mind–Body Connection

2 Essentials

3 Preparation

4 The Exercise Programme

Conclusion

20 MINUTES TO MASTER PILATES

Introduction

The Exercise Programme

Copyright

About the Publisher

Pilates is a disciplined, focused form of exercise, designed to strengthen ligaments and joints, increase flexibility and lengthen the muscles.

Do you dream of a flat stomach, a longer, leaner body and superb posture? Do you wish to improve your overall appearance? If so, then Pilates will help you achieve all this – and more. In this book you will discover a unique bodywork system that will help you transform your body and develop a physical presence and energy that exudes total confidence and grace.

While most people have heard of Pilates, few know exactly what it entails. Pilates is a very disciplined, focused form of exercise, designed to strengthen ligaments and joints, increase flexibility and lengthen the muscles. The main emphasis is on ‘elongating’ the body to create a longer, leaner and taller silhouette. However, Pilates differs from other exercise regimes by going beyond the purely physical. This is a holistic discipline that integrates the mind, body and spirit. It is a philosophy of movement that brings about mental and physical integration. If you have never tried this type of exercise before, you will be surprised by its apparent simplicity. The slow, controlled movements enable energy to move more freely throughout the body. The visualization techniques gently help to focus the mind so that each exercise is executed with ultimate precision. With Pilates there is no need for over-exertion. The emphasis is on quality, not quantity. It’s not about how much you do but, rather, how you do it. This is good news indeed for those of you who have become disillusioned and bored with fitness programmes that may not suit you.

If you want a long, lean look, with a minimum of effort in the safest way, you merely have to follow the guidelines in this book. Most of the techniques are based on the idea of using your own body to create resistance, so there is no need for any complicated props. All you need is a willing body and a curious mind. Before you attempt any of the exercises, though, it is important that you first become acquainted with the underlying principles outlined in chapters 1 to 4.