After a day of tapping away at a keyboard and going cross-eyed looking at a computer monitor, this writer feels more like a mildly achy, slightly crumpled gnome than a poised, elegant and graceful dancer, so the arrival of Bodywise (ABC Books) was initially a little disheartening. All those stretchy, pliable, toned bodies! Presented in conjunction with the Australian Ballet, Bodywise offers a series of exercises, created by Australian Ballet teachers, to help readers ‘discover a deeper connection with their bodies.’ Taken from pilates, physiotherapy, Alexander Technique and yoga exercises, the book offers a program that is for everyone, no matter the level of fitness or ability. The aim is to develop a stronger, more flexible body—and uncover a little of your inner dancer’s grace.

More gorgeous scantily clad bodies! (Not a good self-esteem building month.) This time they’re in Beautiful Pilates (Helen Tardent, Lantern). One of Sydney’s leading Pilates practioners, Tardent (a former ballet dancer) has teamed up with photographer Greg Barrett to put together a pilates book that is both practical and beautiful. If you can get past the rather dramatic lack of clothing in some of the pictures, this is a practical and useful introduction to pilates that will take readers right through from beginner to super-advanced.

This article from Australian Bookseller & Publisher magazine is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2005, Thorpe-Bowker