Harri Angell - Pilates for Living

The author and publisher specifically disclaim, as far as the law allows, any responsibility from any liability, loss or risk (personal or otherwise) which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book.

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This electronic edition published in 2018 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

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First published in 2018

Text Harri Angell, 2018

Exercise photos by Grant Pritchard Photography

Other photography Getty Images

Illustrations by Dave Gardiner

Harri Angell has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the Author of this work.

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ISBN: 978-1-4729-1065-3 (PB)
ISBN: 978-1-4729-4777-2 (eBook)
ISBN: 978-1-4729-4776-5 (ePDF)

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Contents

Terms in bold and italics are defined in the

Introduction

Ageing is a natural, gradual process that happens to us all theres nothing we can do to stop it. But we can slow it down. This book will show you how to do just that and build a foundation for successful future living.

Whatever your age, mat Pilates will improve your strength, coordination, mobility, flexibility, breathing, balance, concentration and general wellbeing. Your posture will improve as well. This will not only prevent aches and pains but also lift your spirits as you learn to stand up straighter, lengthen through the spine and embrace, head-on, those advancing years. To my mind, there is absolutely no point in dwelling on the negative aspect of the ageing process. We all know what happens to us both mentally and physically as we grow older, but we dont necessarily know how to challenge those inevitable changes.

Whether youve just hit your 40s or are heading for 70-plus, you can make those years ahead healthy, happy and fulfilling ones. Frailty, which can creep up on us in varying degrees from middle age onwards, is largely reversible. My guess is that youve picked up this book because youve decided that as the years progress you want to keep active and healthy, as I do.

Theres so much emphasis in todays world on the negative aspects of growing older. Anti-ageing marketeers ply us with products and promises. As the decades fly by faster and faster, the inevitable starts to happen, you feel frail: Im just getting old, you say, and settle for it. Well, Im here to tell you to forget your age. Instead, concentrate more on living your life and keeping as fit and active as you can. Theres no rule that says we have to stop walking long distances or playing golf or tennis once we reach a certain age. And by the same token, theres no rule that says you shouldnt start new activities once youve reached that certain age. I know many people who have taken up running in their 50s and 60s. There are no rules. Pilates is a marvellous, life-enhancing form of exercise, whatever your age, fitness level or ability. Trust me when I say it could just change your life for the better.

We retire too early and we die too young, our prime of life should be in the 70s and old age should not come until we are almost 100.

Joseph Pilates, Return to Life Through Contrology

Are you considering a walking holiday but unsure whether you could manage those hills? Practise the exercises in this book and you will certainly be up for it. Do you dream of taking up new physical hobbies? Then go through the exercises in this book and you will be ready both mentally and physically to start taking on an exciting new challenge.

I know. Im in my 50s and I run marathons, I cycle, walk long distances, teach Pilates, lift weights and I never intend to stop.

By practising Pilates a few times a week, I promise that you will feel the difference as your body gains strength and flexibility. Youll start to feel more confident as well. You might even notice that your body shape changes, you sleep better and you feel more mentally alert.

Youll find a range of exercises in this book to suit all sorts of fitness ability; so dont be intimidated if you havent done anything like this before. We all have to start somewhere! Theres a chapter if youre nervous or unsure of your ability so called because it contains a little bit of everything, the basic things to get you going. In addition, there is a chapter on balance, which is a very important skill to continue to develop as we age or we can become more frail or prone to falling. Youll find a chapter on looking after feet and exercises to improve foot health all this before you even get to the main Pilates exercises. So there is something for absolutely everyone.

If you have any musculoskeletal problems, medical conditions or aches and pains, these will be addressed and includes notes on knee and hip replacements, breast surgery and arthritis. If you do suffer from any serious problems or have recently undergone surgery, always seek advice from your medical practitioner before attempting any of the exercises.

Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure.

Joseph Pilates, Return to Life Through Contrology

While nearly all the exercises and some of the earlier chapters in this book stand alone, the postural alignment information in , you can begin to improve your posture as you go about your everyday life, with the eventual effect of feeling years younger. You will begin to notice a difference quite quickly.