The exercises in this chapter provide a sound foundation for any newcomer to Pilates. They act as a warm-up as well as a gentle introduction to the strengthening and realignment of the body, which is the ultimate aim of your Pilates journey. Don't expect to master all of these exercises right away. It may take several weeks of practice to perform them all with confidence, and you certainly won't have time to complete more than a small part of them in a single session. Remember to vary your program to include all of the exercises on a regular basis. Every body has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it is normal \o find some exercises easier than others.