Pilates is a relatively new kind of exercise program. It bridges the gap between conventional fitness routines and the more meditative, holistic kind of practice such as yoga.

But those who are looking for an easy and accessible form of exercise should not be put off by the apparently rigorous demands of either yoga or pilates. Whilst it is necessary to take any form of exercise seriously in order to derive benefits from it, you don't have to practice the more demanding elements of pilates to obtain the desired results.

And the best thing about a program of exercise based on pilates is that it's extremely flexible. Pilates routines can contain any number of different exercises. Indeed, the number of possible variations is said to be 500 or more.

So whatever your age, level of fitness or health, you'll be able to put together a program that can be tailored to your own needs.

However ... a word of warning. Pilates is not a complete answer to improved health and fitness. It's a complementary method of exercise, ideal for providing support for your spine and keeping your body in balance.

But pilates exercises are unable to provide a workout for your heart and circulatory system. For this reason, you might try combining pilates with another increasingly popular exercise and one that gives your circulatory system a good workout for little effort -walking. Just get out into your neighborhood for a short walk each day and you have the perfect complement to your pilates exercise program.

The important thing is to take it easy and not to be intimidated by talk of demanding workouts. All exercise should be tailored to the needs of the individual.

So if you make a determined effort to find the necessary time at the beginning, you will quickly feel stronger and more in control of your body. This, in turn, will make you more determined to continue with your exercise program.

Very soon you will find that you begin to look forward to your pilates workout and you'll enjoy it so much that it will become part of your life. It will also get much, much easier.

Pilates exercise can work effectively for you providing you approach it in the right way. Get advice about the most appropriate routines for your own physical condition.

Providing you set limits on this basis, you should be OK.