Pilates Workbook for Pregnancy: Illustrated Step-by-Step Matwork Techniques Paperback – July 19, 2002

This book helped me to understand how to assist any pregnant women that attend my Pilates class. I'm always up for learning new information that can help me help others, pregnant or not.

if you have been a pilates student for some time (a year plus) this book will not be of much use for you. you can figure out with the help of a decent instructor and listening to your body, what is safe to continue doing and what is not. i have been taking pilates for several years and did not learn any new moves from this book. mostly it presents modifications of moves a reasonably trained student would already know. so, i would suggest simply asking your instructor for modifications to lower intensity rather than purchasing this book. and of course, listening to your body.if you are NEW to pilates however, i think it is great. it gives you a basic introduction to the moves and gives modifications that you might not get from a non-pregnancy pilates book. i think though that anyone starting pilates during pregnancy should at least try to have a session or 4 with a real live instructor... it's hard to get the feel for pilates from a book alone. but once you "get it" and it clicks, you open a whole new range of health for your spine and body:)

I got this book for my daughter in law. She found it very helpful in alleviating some of the discomforts of pregnancy.

I don't think the author of this book has ever been pregnant, has ever worked with a pregnant pilates client, or is at all certified in prenatal pilates. This book was terrible. Perhaps if I never worked out a day in my life and then decided I wanted to try pilates for the first time while 8 months pregnant but didn't want to shell out the money for lessons, then this book might actually hold my interest for a little while. But if you are an instructor or have been practicing pilates for awhile, then don't even bother with this book.

I did pilates for 3 months before I became pregnant and for the first 3 months of my pregnancy, until it became clear that neither of my two teachers knew how to adapt the exercises for a pregnant woman. This book is excellent: well written, with many good photos accompanied by clear instruction. The exercises are modified for each of the 3 trimesters and for 3 levels of experience with Pilates, from beginner to experienced. There is a complete section on postnatal conditioning as well. There are sufficient exercises for a good program, neither too long nor too short. The exercises are designed with extensive consideration for avoiding long- and short-term pregnancy and postnatal damage. This book DOES lay flat and will be appreciated by those who don't always want to work out in front of a video or as a more complete adjunct to a video. I do not know, however, whether a beginner can learn Pilates only from a book, without the feedback from an instructor. Women should also not expect an aerobic workout from Pilates; instead, you will strengthen and condition your core more in the style of yoga, tai chi, or weight training.

ok

Before becoming pregnant, I was actively involved in Pilates. This book is great because it modified standard Pilates moves for pregnancy. Since I am currently in my first trimester, I prefer to do some of the moves as we do in class, and the book is too easy in a few aspects. But I can see, as I move through my pregnancy and my belly becomes bigger, that the modifications and suggestions will be great to have and will help to keep me in Pilates shape. I like the focus on breathing, which is so important in Pilates.

Only useful if you've never done Pilates before pregnancy

Libro indicato per insegnanti e non per neofiti, scritto e spiegato molto bene,

Having practised Pilates for many years, I was looking for a guide that would help me adapt a routine for (my 3rd) pregnancy - without patronising me! This book does just that (as well as catering for beginners) because it explains the science behind the moves and changes during pregnancy, and then gives a detailed recommended routine. It's also great that it acknowledges adaptation as pregnancy progresses and for the day-to-day differences in energy etc that any expectant Mum is all too aware of! A very useful resource.

Buon libro.Interessante per la gravidanza.

This is ok...but was hoping for more advanced moves.There was quite a lot you couldn't do if you were quite big in your 2nd trimester and most of which i had already worked out for myself...nothing new really!

This book illustrated clearly the different types of exercises with good adaptations. I am a Pilates instructor and have had two children previously whilst attending Pilates Classes. There is an excellent section on ligament separation, which could be shown to clients and also very good for the new mum to understand. It even has a postnatal section for after the baby is born. My only slight criticism is that it still demonstrates some of the exercises lying on the back, it would have been good to see some alternatives.