A killer workout wrapped in a shiny, happy attitude.
If you've never done Pilates, you probably think it looks pretty easy. You are wrong. Even the simplest movements will leave your abs in agony for hours (sometimes days), and the hard movements are downright impossible, even for people who have a lot of experience with other exercise routines. In other words, Pilates is designed to kick your ass in the most graceful way possible, which is perhaps why I like it.
This particular contribution to the body of books on Pilates contains four ass-kicking workouts, one for each season, designed to keep you fit and healthy all year long. It's a nice organizing principle, and the photographs are really gorgeous, involving Ho demonstrating moves against backdrops of seasonal beauty. Modifications for beginners are given, and believe me, you are going to need them. As I worked my way through this book, there were a lot of exercises I simply couldn't do. However, Ho is so encouraging and cheerful, I felt motivated to get better and be able to do them eventually, as opposed to discouraged and ready for a pint of Ben & Jerry's.
The diet Ho promotes is never called "vegan," but that's pretty much what it is. There's also not a lot of gluten in it, and the emphasis is on fresh, seasonal whole foods, so that pretty much lines up with what's in right now (Whole 30 practitioners, this is your book, too). There are several motivational essays that, while very sweet, do not give more than the most basic of advice. However, Ho is sincere, and seems genuinely kind, somebody you'd want to be friends with, which makes you more than willing to go along for the ride, put aside your cynicism for five seconds, and just believe.
If you work through the book and love it, there are tons of resources for you to explore, including Ho's YouTube channel, app, and blog/website. This is a great book to have in the Rs if you serve a clientele where Pilates is popular; because of the difficulty level, it's an optional purchase everywhere else. Seriously, though, check out -- or ILL -- this book one time and see what you think. You will be swearing by the time you're done, but I guarantee you will also feel pretty damn good about yourself. Possibly even graceful, even if you're built more like Marilyn Monroe than Twiggy. Recommended.