The exercises in this book are broken down into three skill levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. If you’re just beginning your exploration of Pilates, start with the Beginner exercises after you’ve mastered the warm-up and cool-down stretches. For those with previous Pilates training, you may be comfortable skipping ahead to the Intermediate or Advanced sections—much of what you have already mastered will provide a good foundation for these more challenging exercises.
Pay attention to the specific tips and suggestions that accompany each exercise. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with this information before you attempt any of the exercises—that way you’ll know exactly what to look for, what to avoid, and—if you suffer from pain or injury—when to avoid an exercise entirely.
The progression of these sections serves to reinforce the layered, repetitive structure of Pilates—you’ll start by isolating and exercising singular muscles in the Beginner section, and engage several groups of muscles at once as the exercises become more challenging. The goal for all of these exercises remains the same, though—better control of your body through flexibility, muscle length, and repetition.