There are many benefits of practising yoga and Pilates: as the body begins to function at its peak, stamina rises, strength improves and body confidence hits an all-time high. This three-in-one guide combines expert tuition with step-by-step photography to create an enjoyable series of exercises for body and mind. Begin by correcting habitual poor posture with simple realignment exercises, and progress towards greater mobility - in the comfort of your own home, and in your own time. Journey through the classic asanas of Iyengar Yoga, the most widely practised of all yoga methods. Asanas develop body awareness, muscles and flexibility, and have been grouped to allow movements to flow together with ease. There are opportunities to modify postures according to experience, and to focus on key areas of the body in order to perfect the pose. Simple props are also recommended for less flexible students. Rediscover core strength with Pilates, a jargon-free course designed to strengthen and streamline your body by working from its centre. Pilates aligns the muscles in the back and abdominals, to create a vital support for the torso and internal organs, with a revolutionary impact on posture. Follow target-muscle diagrams to keep on the right track, and complement your strength-based technique with recommended cardiovascular exercises. Yoga-Pilates fuses the stretching and balance of yoga with the muscle tone of Pilates. The objective is to promote "enjoyment of life through the body", creating balance between the muscles, lengthening the spine, and freeing the back and chest. Learn to "lift" the body during exercise, and see all movements become fluid and light. Specific sequences designed to relax or energize the body are the perfect foil to the stresses of modern living. Use this book as a safe, personal guide, or as an aid to further instruction. Over 700 colour photographs capture the intricacy of all poses and highlight common mistakes.