PILATES FOR DUMMIES is a good one to start with. If you get the DVD, it has a bonus 20-min intermediate routine you can grow into. Great instruction from a likable instructor (Michelle Dozios - sp?).
STOTT PILATES is also excellent with superior attention to form. Some of the best instruction out there at different levels.
One I've been using a lot lately is HILARY BURNETT'S INTERMEDIATE PILATES. She uses wonderful visual imagery which has helped me nail some moves. (She also has beginner and advanced DVD's.)
I don't know if you've tried Pilates before. I've been doing it for a while and had never really "gotten" it. My abs are my trouble spot, so I keep plugging along because of the results to which many people have attested. To help me keep at it, my birthday goal this year is to be able to do a "teaser" (a difficult move for me). Anyway, using Stott and Burnett, Pilates seems to have FINALLY clicked for me. I can really feel my lower abs working and my core strength has greatly improved. (This is also largely due to Cathe ab work.) I can do a teaser now, although I don't consider my goal being met, cause it's not pretty! Nevertheless, I can do one and I have until December to perfect it.
I guess my point it, if you don't like it at first, but really want to strengthen your core, stick with it!
Aren't you glad you asked a simple question?
