Pilates

A central component of Pilates exercises concerns alignment of the spine. Along with proper breath control and strengthening of the abdominal muscles, the student seeking to shore up her back...

Joseph Pilates originally illustrated how to do the Single Bent Leg Stretch exercise in his 1945 book, "Return to Life through Contrology." The Pilates method of body conditioning has been further...

Whether you've been doing Pilates for years or are trying it for the first time, there are key aspects to the exercises that will enhance the benefits that Pilates brings in strengthening the...

Pilates exercises can help reduce low back pain by strengthening the core abdominal muscles. Once strengthened, these abs form a "girdle" of muscle to stabilize the spine and reduce low back pain....

Pilates is a form of exercise that uses your own body resistance to develop muscle tone and core strength. Pilates uses flowing movements, breathing and slow-paced repetitions to force...

The "neutral spine" is a position in which the spine is in a natural position, meaning it is not bent or tense. The spine being neutral implies that your pelvis is also neutral and your natural...

Pilates exercises improve muscle strength, posture, grace and flexibility. Before you invest in equipment, try the following mat exercises. You may want to invest a sticky mat if you have wood or...

Pilates is ideal for home exercise routines. You don't need any equipment, though you may want to invest a sticky mat if you have wood or tile floors to avoid slipping. Pilates helps strengthen...

Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates, who developed the idea of different equipment and exercises for soldiers who were injured during World War I. He developed ways for those who were unable to...

Stott Pilates uses the neutral spine position in exercise routines. Learn more about Stott Pilates with expert tips from a fitness instructor in this free workout video.

The Pilates full breaststroke is a great exercise for strengthening your spine and ab muscles. Learn the full breaststroke from a professional Pilates instructor in this free exercise video.

Stretching the shoulders and hamstrings using Pilates is a great way to release tension and loosen up the spine. Learn more about the shoulder and hamstring stretch from a professional Pilates...

The cat and cow exercise, in Pilates, is great for stretching out the spine and warming up the back muscles. Learn more about the cat and cow exercise from a professional Pilates instructor in...

The hip rolls, in Pilates, is an exercise that works the spine in the opposite direction. Learn more about hip rolls from a professional Pilates instructor in this free exercise video.

Pilates is a great physical fitness method that can help strengthen the spine muscles. Learn about spinal extension from a professional Pilates instructor in this free exercise video.

Performing a Pilates rotational stretch is a great way to warm up the spine before working out. Learn a rotational stretch for your spine from a professional Pilates instructor in this free...

The seated stretch is a Pilates exercise that helps to warm up the sides of the body along with the spine. Learn to perform a seated stretch from a professional Pilates instructor in this free...

The spine twist is a Pilates rotational exercise that's great for strengthening the muscles in your back. Learn a spine twist exercise from a professional Pilates instructor in this free exercise...

Reduce stress in your back and spine with spinal massage stretches. Learn how to do spinal massage stretch with stability balls in this free exercise video from a certified Pilates instructor.

Performing the proper head nod form, in Pilates, will help increase the length of your spine. Learn more about the proper head nod form from a professional Pilates instructor in this free exercise...

In Pilates, the roll over exercise is an excellent way to stretch the back muscles and lengthen the spine. Learn to do the roll over Pilates exercise with tips from a fitness instructor in this...

Spine extensions separate your scapula to release muscles in your back. Learn how to do spine extensions with stability balls in this free exercise video about Pilates ball workouts.

Strengthen spine and leg muscles with side lying exercises. Learn how to do side lying exercises with resistance bands in this free fitness video from a Pilates instructor.

A rolling cat move in naughty Pilates flexes the spine and points the tail bone sexually up. Learn rolling cat in naughty Pilates from an instructor in this free Pilates arm workout video.

Naughty Pilates includes a writhing cat stretch that works the spine and upper arms, moving the hips suggestively. Learn a writhing cat stretch in naughty Pilates from an instructor in this free...

In Pilates, focus on the ribs in order to practice engaging the core and lengthening the spine. Learn more about engaging the core from a professional Pilates instructor in this free fitness video.

In Pilates, lengthen the spine and scoop the belly when performing plies. Learn more about plies and Pilates from a professional Pilates instructor in this free fitness video.

The scissor exercise in Pilates involves elongating the spine, while raising and lowering the legs. Learn more about the scissor exercise in Pilates from a professional Pilates instructor in this...

Pilates exercises on all fours requires proper spine, neck and core alignment. Set up for Pilates exercises on all fours with tips from a fitness trainer in this free exercise video.

The diagonal extension stretch is an advanced Pilates exercise that requires a long spine and strong core. Learn how to do the diagonal extension Pilates stretch with tips from a fitness trainer...

Reach your arms as long as you possibly can and your legs. From here keep that spine supported. Learn how to do swimming in body weight Pilates from a professional instructor in this free fitness...

Bring your chin toward your chest, let your neck be heavy and roll through your spine all the way down Learn how to do the hamstring stretch in Pilates from a professional instructor in this free...

Start again on your back, you're going to roll through that spine all the way down. Learn how to do the single leg stretch in body weight Pilates from a professional instructor in this free...

The spine stretch forward in Pilates stretches the lower back and hamstrings. Learn to do the spine stretch forward Pilates exercise with tips from a fitness trainer in this free exercise video.

In Pilates, the seal exercise is a great way to massage the spine and open up the muscles in the hips. Practice the seal exercises with tips from a professional Pilates instructor in this free...

In Pilates, extend the legs, lock the heels and twist the torso in order to perform the spine twist exercise. Perform the spine twist with tips from a professional Pilates instructor in this free...

The lateral spine stretch is great to do before doing any other pilates exercises. See how to do the lateral spine stretch, a standing pilates exercise in this free pilates exercise video.

Pilates exercises help individuals strengthen their core muscles. When these muscles are strong, they help lengthen the spine and improve posture. Pilates exercises for scoliosis, a condition that...

Founded in Germany in the early twentieth century by Joseph Pilates, the exercise craze known today as Pilates is an excellent way to tone the abs and the legs. Many Pilates moves focus on making...

Pilates is a fitness regiment that was founded in Germany in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates for returning World War One vets. Now Pilates is somewhat of an exercise craze and rightfully...

Pilates is a fitness regiment that was founded in Germany in the early 20th Century by Joseph Pilates for returning World War One veterans. Now Pilates is somewhat of an exercise craze. It is an...

The chest lift is a basic beginner's Pilates pose that is similar to crunches.

The plank pose in Pilates looks like a push-up. Your arms should be fully extended and perpendicular with the floor, while the rest of your body draws a diagonal line from your heels to the crown...

The open leg rocker is a Pilates move that tones the abdominals while massaging the lower back and stretching your hamstrings.

Pilates is a fitness regimen founded in Germany in the early 20th Century by Joseph Pilates for returning World War I Vets. Now Pilates is somewhat of an exercise craze, and rightfully so--it is...

Some Pilates moves are performed to help you exercise certain muscles or concentrate on others. The angel arms move is used to help the practitioner concentrate on the lower spine, and keeping it...

Learn the pilates video "C-Spine stretch"

The spine twist supine Pilates exercise is a great warm up workout for anyone wanting to get into Pilates. Learn about this exercise in this free video clip on beginning Pilates.

The neutral spine position is the normal position of your spine as you lay flat on your back. This free video clip will explain more about this Pilates position and give you more tips on Pilates...

The Pilates spine stretch exercise is a great beginning workout for anyone wanting to get into Pilates. Learn about this exercise in this free video clip on beginning Pilates.