Functional Anatomy Of The Pilates Core

This book is the first to illustrate the essential connection between the functional anatomy of the body’s core and its application during Pilates’ fundamental core exercises. Focusing on the inherent potential of the human body to stabilize and move, Dr. Evan Osar and Marylee Bussard combine the most current research around core stabilization with six fundamental Pilates principles to offer simple, easy-to-use strategies for relieving discomfort and improving pain-free movement. With more than 290 full-color illustrations, Functional Anatomy of the Pilates Core provides both Pilates practitioners and professional teachers with a comprehensive understanding of how the core functions and how stabilization helps promote health and proper movement patterns through the development of balanced muscles, joint alignment, and core control. The authors apply current research on neuroplasticity, the brain's capacity to reorganize itself by developing new neuronal connections, and on the function of fascia, the matrix-like connective tissue of the body, to explain the six fundamental principles of Pilates—Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath, and Flow. They show how to avoid muscle imbalances, chronic tightness, and pain by incorporating the principles of functional anatomy during exercise. Readers learn how to: • Achieve the alignment, breathing, and control required for developing optimal posture and movement • Alleviate non-optimal habits that relate to common postural dysfunction, muscle imbalances, and chronic tightness • Integrate the fundamental Pilates exercises in order to develop a more stable core and eliminate the risks of common injuries while accomplishing one’s health and fitness goals

This is Pilates as you’ve never seen it before. With detailed descriptions, step-by-step instruction, and stunning full-color anatomical illustrations, Pilates Anatomy takes you inside the exercises and programs that will tone the body, stabilize the core, improve balance, and increase flexibility. Using the original mat work of Joseph Pilates, you’ll see how key muscles are used, how variations and minor adjustments can influence effectiveness, and how breathing, alignment, posture, and movement are all fundamentally linked. Choosing from over 45 exercises, you can target a particular body region and delve deeper to stretch, strengthen, and finely coordinate specific muscles. You’ll also find techniques for breathing, concentration, and self-awareness for a unique exercise experience that enhances your mind and your body. Whether you are just beginning to explore the beauty and benefits of Pilates or have been practicing for years, PilatesAnatomy is a one-of-a-kind resource that you’ll refer to again and again.

Take a detailed look at your Pilates practice with the superbly illustrated exercises in Pilates Anatomy, Second Edition. Choose from 46 exercises to target a particular body region and delve deeper to stretch, strengthen, and finely coordinate specific muscles. See which key muscles are activated, how variations and minor adjustments can influence effectiveness, and how breathing, alignment, and movement are all fundamentally linked as you work to tone the body, stabilize the core, improve balance, and increase flexibility. Use the Personalize Your Practice section for each exercise to vary your practice and customize your workouts to fit your needs. Here you’ll find modifications to make each exercise more accessible when there are limitations such as tight hamstrings or underdeveloped core strength. Variations provide variety, and progressions are offered to add more challenge to each exercise and serve as valuable stepping stones on your journey to more advanced Pilates exercise. Also included are techniques for breathing, concentration, and self-awareness, providing a unique exercise experience that enhances your body and your mind. Whether you are just beginning to explore the beauty and benefits of Pilates or have been practicing for years, Pilates Anatomy is a one-of-a-kind resource that you’ll refer to again and again. Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes both the book and exam.

The first book to comprehensively discuss the function of the psoas in posture, movement, and exercise, The Psoas Solution identifies the functional anatomy, biomechanics, and motor control of the psoas and its role in core and hip stabilization. Integrating research with clinical experience, Evan Osar identifies the psoas's role on the hip, pelvis, and low back and demonstrates how to incorporate the psoas into functional movement patterns including squatting, lunging, and bending. The Psoas Solution includes corrective and functional exercise progressions for improving and integrating the psoas into daily activities. Health and fitness professionals will find this a valuable resource full of applicable strategies and exercises to incorporate into current rehabilitation or training programs. Abundantly illustrated with full-color images throughout, this book also provides most complete review on the relevant research on the psoas available. For years the psoas has been a muscle mired in controversy. It has been linked to common postural and movement dysfunction including anterior pelvic tilt, hyperlordosis of the lumbar spine, and low back pain. Strategies to improve posture and reduce pain have primarily involved stretching the psoas and strengthening its antagonist, the glutes. However, recent clinical research has revealed that the psoas is much more than a simple hip flexor and plays an integral role in both posture and movement. This professional treatment manual for health care practitioners and students gives an overview of the ways that non-optimal use of the psoas can affect breathing, posture, and movement. It outlines specific treatment strategies that enable patients to develop awareness and utilization of the psoas muscle to achieve three-dimensional breathing and improve balance and body mechanics.

Managing the Spino-Pelvic-Hip Complex is based on the author's extensive clinical experience of assessing and treating athletes at all levels. For nearly 20 years his work has been in the field of high-performance sport. That experience has informed his clinical reasoning and treatment philosophies which are also based upon lessons learnt from challenging the science through a Doctor of Philosophy degree. The book encompasses a complete management strategy for manual practitioners to use when dealing with ongoing issues pertaining to the spino-pelvic-hip complex. It presents a strategy which aims to simplify functional, biomechanical and bio-psychosocial analysis models that can be used as diagnostic tools to highlight kinetic chain and/or specific segmental restrictions in the spino-pelvic-hip complex. The author gives a rationale for the application of the treatment specific to the needs of the athlete, using the appropriate manual techniques to the lumbar spine, pelvis and hip joint. The treatments are also complemented by strategies for active lifestyle management, incorporating activation techniques and movement control exercises. Managing the Spino-Pelvic-Hip Complex complements the courses that the author has developed and delivers. It can be also used as a stand-alone educational tool and will be helpful for any therapist working within the sporting environment.

Pilates for Beginners is the new kick-start guide for building an at-home Pilates practice with step-by-step guidance and easy sequences. No matter your fitness level—whether you’re in great shape or have never set foot in a gym—learning to do Pilates means going back to the basics. Teaching you core Pilates exercises and easy sequences, Pilates for Beginners is the ultimate starter guide to confidently practice Pilates at home. From your first time on the mat to finishing a complete sequence, Pilates for Beginners develops your Pilates regimen with a progressive, easy-to-follow program. Complete with clear instructions, photographs, and tips to do the exercises right, Pilates for Beginners is your go-to reference to keep your body supple and mobile, and add more life to your years. Pilates for Beginners gives you the information and guidance you need to make Pilates part of your daily routine with: Pilates 101 that explains the philosophy and guiding principles of Pilates—Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath, and Flow—to incorporate into workouts. 50 easy-to-follow exercises that include warm-ups, cool downs, and bonus strengthening exercises, with photographs, checklists, and tips to help guide you. Progressive sequences that lay a strong foundation for body awareness in the introductory program, and builds strength, spinal mobility, flexibility, and control from Level 1 to Level 2. Pilates is a source of lifelong energy, strength, and flexibility for both your mind and body. Start building your practice and feel the difference with step-by-step guidance and exercises from Pilates for Beginners.

"[This book].. provides clear, step-by-step illustrated instructions, each with useful tips on how to perform the exercise correctly (and wha to avoid). Alongside each exercise are detailed anatomical illustrations highlighting the muscles that benefit most. Anatomy of core stability provides everything you need to improve your technique and stabilise your core"-- Back cover.

The term “functional training” has been associated with a fair amount of controversy ever since it became part of the fitness training vernacular more than a decade ago. In Functional Training Anatomy, noted strength and conditioning specialists Kevin Carr and Mary Kate Feit cut through the clutter and misconceptions about functional training and cover all aspects of how to build a purposeful, effective, and efficient program that provides the strength, stability, and mobility you need to support your body in life and in sports. Beginning with a clear definition of what functional training entails, you will learn about the importance of mobility training and its impact on movement quality, performance, and injury reduction. Use the warm-up activities to prepare for high-intensity activities. Use the medicine ball and plyometric exercises to learn to produce and absorb force. Develop power with Olympic lifts, kettlebell swings, and jumping exercises. Improve strength in the upper body, lower body, and core with hip-dominant, knee-dominant, pushing, pulling, and core exercises. See the inner workings of each of the exercises with superb full-color illustrations that show the primary and secondary muscles and connective tissue being used. The detailed instructions for these multiplanar and unilateral exercises ensure you execute each one correctly and safely. The Functional Focus element shows how the exercises translate to specific activities, whether that be an explosive athletic move or simply moving a box. Functional Training Anatomy incorporates traditional and nontraditional exercises and mobility drills that will help you increase functional strength and reduce injury so your body is prepared to support the demands of athletic performance and daily living. Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes both the book and exam.