Stretching For Stiffies

"A full body Pilates reformer stretching routine for every body"--Cover.

Whether you are just beginning your Pilates journey, or have been practising or teaching for years, Stretching on the Pilates Reformer, now with QR codes with live video, will be an invaluable resource-one that allows you to see each exercise in an entirely new light. With modern variations on some of the classics, and some entirely new stretches too, the anatomically detailed full color 3D graphics and video take you inside every exercise. With clear, simple, step-by-step cues that have been tried and tested over a 20-year period, Stretching on the Pilates Reformer provides you with a deeper understanding of the structures and principles underlying each movement. You will be able to teach and practice these safe and effective stretches in no time at all. If you have an interest in stretching and anatomy, the stunning illustrations in this book will show you how each muscle is used, how slight alterations in position can enhance and reduce effectiveness and how breathing and body position are related. With over 100 images, 27 videos and 50 exercises you can target a specific region to stretch, strengthen and develop self-awareness skills in the process.

A hack is an innovative and unorthodox way to crack a big problem. Although stretching is not a new prescription for managing and alleviating chronic low back pain, doing it on a Pilates reformer, with precision cues and 3D images is definitely novel. The Pilates reformer makes performing your exercises incorrectly very difficult- a critical point in ensuring exercise adherence and positive outcomes in rehabilitation. It also allows safe and intricate movements so that you can relax and find just the "right spot" for you. Fabulous 3D images mean no more guesswork, no wondering "am I doing it right?" Chronic low back pain has hit epidemic proportions in the developed world. Costing billions in inactivity, lost work days and healthcare costs, it is a problem brought about primarily by the mismatch between our modern environments and our ancient bodies. Bodies that evolved over millions of years to be both strong and supple. Pilates reformer stretching can assist in restoring your function and managing your pain. Tried and tested over a 20-year period with many thousands of clients, the simple cues and safe stretches in Hack Your Low Back may well rid you of the pain, frustration, sense of fatigue and depression that so often accompany chronic dysfunction.

Well known presenter, teacher and top selling Pilates author Anthony Lett has cherry picked stretches from the disciplines of physical therapy, Osteopathy, Yoga, Pilates, martial arts and dance and trialled them over a 20-year period in his studio. Anthony has culled the fluff and leaves you with the safest and most effective material that works. 'No fillers, all thrillers' is the result! As well as presenting in 25 countries to health professionals on the subject of stretching, Anthony has worked with some of the world's best Karate champions, in Moscow with dancers from the Russian Bolshoi ballet, on thousands of wounded weekend warriors and even sheep shearers from outback Western Australia. All have benefitted from a body of work that is person oriented, not pose oriented. It's truly a work for "every body." He explains simply and with clarity how to use a "PNF" technique which fastbacks your flexibility gains and provides loads of stunning full color 3D anatomy images to assist you to understand the practice. The work has a focus on single joints and smaller groups of muscles so that there's no guessing about doing it right or feeling it in the right place. It's not stretching for dummies, but it's stretching that's hard to get wrong. There are simple and logical cues and images and a host of solo and partner stretches for each muscle group to explore, because although one stretch may be effective for one person, for various reasons like individual bone shape, it might not work for someone else. This realistic and pragmatic approach, honed by many years of experimentation on real bodies, ensures that in this book at least, you will find a collection of stretches just right for you!

Pilates benefits every body--including yours! Pilates is exercise for your mind, body, and spirit, but what if your body won't cooperate? How can you take advantage of all Pilates has to offer--strengthening your core, enhancing your flexibility, and even improving your posture--if you think you're too old or too big or too physically unable to perform the Hundred, the Shoulder Bridge, or the Double-Leg Stretch? No matter what your age, size, or physical ability is, you can do every exercise in Pilates for Everyone. Each Pilates exercise shows the typical movements for gaining the physical and mental benefits from that exercise. Then each exercise offers at least three variations performed by people just like you to help you find the right modification that fits who you are. This way, no matter which version you perform, you're going to reach similar goals. Pilates for Everyone includes these features: • 50 step-by-step exercises for specific body areas • Step-by-step modifications for every exercise • 10 routines that combine exercises from the book for maximum benefits • Expert advice from Micki Havard on how to get the most out of your practice ––– “I’m a lead instructor trainer for Merrithew and Stott Pilates. I have spent more than two decades sharing the passion of Pilates and movements with my students and aspiring new instructors. Micki Havard has included in this book exercises and modifications suitable for everyone’s needs. Micki knows how to deliver key principles so you can practice Pilates safely at home. I find Micki’s book easy to follow and inspiring. Her guidance will make everyone strong!” Thicha Srivisal Pilates expert www.breathepilates.com.sg @thichapilates ––– “It’s about time this book was written by Micki. Her insights in fitness, Pilates, and well-being are to be revered. Micki’s perseverance on this journey to inspire and empower others is to be embraced. With her work, she encourages others to achieve their fullest potential through her belief in them, the Pilates method, and her wealth of knowledge. Literally ANY body can benePHIT from MickiPHIT. Coming from years of experience, she has channeled all of her knowledge and experience into writing this book for everyBODY. Taking away the layers of perceived obstacles by people’s mindset, anyBODY can do it—and she shows you how in this fabulous book.” Debbie Robbins Founder of Air Control Pilates www.aircontrolpilates.com @aircontrolpilates ––– “This book is an incredible resource for learning movement in a way that is accessible for EVERY body no matter what stage of life you are in. Micki gives clear and detailed directions, with so many options for modifications. Her exercises are easy for you to follow and will help you achieve your goals. I love the way the photos and descriptions speak to a diverse population. Micki Havard’s expert teaching will give you the confidence and strength to exercise consistently and enjoy the work every time you do it!” Jill Harris Owner of Informed Body Creator of FitSprings www.fitsprings.com @jillharrispilates ––– “Pilates for Everyone written by Micki Havard is exactly what the title implies. Micki doesn’t just use words but shows readers that the statement in the title is indeed true. This vibrant book that warmly welcomes the reader into the world of Pilates clearly explains how each exercise is executed. The models, who we also learn about their background, are not Pilates statues but actual everyday people who show that Pilates can be done by everyone. The breakdown of the book—the workouts, variations, modifications, and adjustments—are excellent and show the reader that at whatever fitness level they’re at, they too can move with strength and joy!” Michelle DuVall Creator of Barre Variations www.barrevariations.com @barrevariations

Acute and chronic neck pain and its consequences has hit epidemic proportions worldwide as an inevitable consequence of our immersion in digital gadgetry. This physical stress alongside the psychological stress of 24/7 connectivity can be managed with the simple practices in this book.In Disrupting Text Neck, Anthony Lett, author of 3 Amazon best sellers teaches you how to manage these conditions in his usual simple and straightforward instructional style. With the aid of dot point instructions, easy to follow photos and helpful 3D anatomy images, Anthony teaches you the essential exercises that will keep the consequences of living a digitally connected life at bay. Taught to many thousands of students over a 20-year period, the stretches in Disrupting Text Neck will leave you feeling deeply relaxed and rejuvenated while minimizing the need for pills or expensive treatments.

This book teaches how to stretch the entire body on the Pilates reformer, using 3D anatomy images and cues.

Pilates for Rehabilitation explains how to incorporate Pilates exercises into rehabilitation programs to heal injuries, improve core strength, promote efficient movement, and help manage pain.