The most authoritative, step-by-step guide to Pilates available on the market. Popular for decades with dancers, athletes, and celebrities, Pilates is the perfect equipment-free workout for a stronger, leaner, fitter body. With great emphasis on precision and awareness, not only is Pilates great for the body, but for the mind as well. Using step-by-step mat-work exercises and a wide range of programs, from beginner to advanced, Pilates: Body in Motion is the only practical guide that shows you all of the proper steps to follow and how to avoid common mistakes in your conditioning.
Published authority on fitness and wellness and a pioneer of the Pilates method, Alycea Ungaro brought some of the very first mat Pilates classes to New York City. Both the method and Alycea built a devoted following as people flocked to her classes. Alycea's clientele includes some of today's most high profile celebrities ranging from Madonna, Uma Thurman, Kyra Sedgewick, Christy Turlington, Claire Danes, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Molly Sims, among others.
Alycea has expanded her popular Pilates classes into a fitness media empire. Her first multi-media project was the innovative Portable Pilates, an easy-to-use at-home mat workout. Best selling titles followed including; Pilates: Body in Motion, published in 2002, The Pilates Promise published in 2004, and The Pilates Practice Companion. Now, for the first time since its release, Pilates: Body In Motion is available in eBook edition sold exclusively though Amazon.
In addition to serving on the advisory board of Fitness Magazine and as About.com's resident Pilates expert, Alycea travels widely as a guest teacher hosting retreats at world-famous locations such as Amangani in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Together with long-time client Christy Turlington, Alycea collaborated on a “Pilates Booty" shoe for Puma. The booty was aptly named “The Alycea." Alycea is also the creator of SpringTone, the ideal resistance training class utilizing various weighted springs to strengthen and sculpt, launching nationwide.
Alycea was early to the digital game by partnering with Mobile Mind, Inc. to launch a cell phone version of Portable Pilates. This go-anywhere mini-workout, was designed to broaden Pilates accessibility. 15 Minute Everyday Pilates has also been converted into a series of Vooks (video books) that are available for iPhones and iPads as well as the Amazon Kindle and the Android platform. The New York Times has hailed these Pilates Apps as the best on the market. She also created the “15 Minute Everyday Pilates" DVD and the patented Real Alignment Mat for the home exerciser.
In addition to her Pilates expertise, Alycea is a licensed physical therapist having graduated from New York University's prestigious program. She is also a certified Perinatal specialist making her uniquely qualified to work with all levels of disability and with clients during any phase of their pregnancy. When she is not traveling, Alycea spends her days working with students and teachers and growing the Pilates industry.