Pilates exercises are part of a fitness method started by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s. This popular workout trend teaches awareness of breathing while focusing on the alignment of the spine. Pilates target back and abdominal -- or "core" muscles -- but is also effective for toning the legs, arms, shoulders and glutes.

The exercises are often performed on a piece of equipment called a reformer, but can also be done on a mat without equipment. During these Pilates classes, you'll perform non-weight bearing moves that use your body weight to tone your muscles. All Pilates exercises have numerous benefits, including increasing both strength and flexibility, while also improving lung capacity.

Pilates classes are available at most gyms. Still, finding the right instructor can be the key to success. Certified instructors will give clear and precises directions that focus on correct body positioning and breathing. It's the instructor's job to accurately demonstrate the exercises for you and to give you cues that make the movements easy to understand.

Pilates exercises are great for both beginners and advanced exercisers. Instructors should provide modifications for the exercises and offer some individual instruction to ensure you are performing the moves in a way that is both safe and effective. Injured students should be able to participate with these modifications, too.

Think Pilates might be right for you? Learn more about how Pilates gives the gain without the pain.

I like to call flexibility training the ugly stepsister of the exercise world because everyone seems to overlook it until it's too late. Eventually you strain or sprain something or you're so stiff from step class that you want to cry. I teach yoga and Pilates, and my favorite party trick is bringing my left heel over my head and feeding myself a little snack between my toes. I know, I know, it grosses out my husband, too. For many people, however, stretching does not come so easy. But being limber is not just about impressing (or horrifying) people at cocktail parties, is an essential part of being truly fit.

Three general things make up your flexibility potential:

• Age (younger folks are more flexible)
• Gender (women are typically more supple)
• Climate (Muscles are far more pliant in warmer temperatures)

Below are the five stretches everybody can practice a few times a week. Do them after any other workout, and you'll soothe all of your major muscle groups in less than 10 minutes. I'd also like to give a shout-out to the practice of yoga. Since 15 million or so people began practicing yoga in the last decade, flexibility training has finally become as important to fitness as cardiovascular training and strength training. Yoga is the ultimate, full-body stretch, for sure, and some studies show that stretching makes your body much stronger, too.

Power yoga is an exercise-based approach to traditional yoga. Based loosely on the Ashtanga style of yoga, power yoga is a vigorous vinyasa-style practice that was designed as a means to get fitness-minded westerners interested in yoga. Power yoga sessions do not follow a specific sequence of poses, and subsequently practices can vary greatly between classes and instructors. However, every practice is based on the fundamental goal of increasing flexibility and strength through physically challenging postures.

Postures in power yoga are typically linked together by a sequence called a vinyasa, which includes downward dog and upward dog. The purpose of a vinyasa is to create heat and energy in the body and to "refresh" the muscles after the previous pose. Power yoga sessions often also focus on a style of breathing called Ujjayi breath, a strong breathing technique that forces air through the back of the throat.

Unlike most traditional yoga practices, which focus on the spiritual and meditative aspects of the poses, power yoga is more focused on the physical aspect of the session, and it is most often used as a means to get fit or lose weight rather than achieve enlightenment.

More Yoga Terms Defined from That's Fit:
Ashtana Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Hatha Yoga

Upside Down Pigeon Photo: Dorit Thies

If you're over 40 and not practicing yoga, you have to ask yourself, why not? Like green tea, it has so many health perks with so little risk, there's no reason why it shouldn't be part of your lifestyle. Need some convincing? Research abounds touting how yoga improves muscle strength, flexibility, endurance and balance -- all of which reduces injury risk. Emotionally, it relieves stress and anxiety and leaves you with an overall sense of well-being. That's a lot of anti-aging science. And I'm not even done: By keeping you less frazzled, it also helps control your cortisol levels, a hormone that increases fat stores around your belly when it remains elevated for too long. These combined benefits will help you take years off both your body and mind.

Certain postures specifically promote youthfulness. Ask your yoga teacher if she can integrate these moves into her practice or do them on your own. I was introduced to them during a yoga retreat hosted by expert Beth Shaw, who's trained over 75,000 instructors around the world. (That's her in the pictures.)

Upside Down Pigeon (or Dead Pigeon)

• Physical benefit: Walking, running and cycling can't be beat, but they also tighten up hips, making them more susceptible to injury, says Shaw. This hip opener will keep them loose and improve your flexibility.
• Emotional benefit: Hips house emotions, acting as a storage depot. This move helps release a lot of pent-up -- and often negative -- feelings.

Sounds? Yep. These four sounds will let you know you're doing the right thing in your workouts, and if you're not making them ... you'll need to up your game so you start!

For healthy cooking tips from a wellness chef, yoga basics, and more innovative training videos ...

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Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz! I've come across a couple articles recently that are dead-set against prolonged cardio multiple times a week. They suggest that High Intensity Interval Training or low intensity activity only a few times a week at most, alongside regular weight training, is the only way to lose fat and stay fit. I don't think I could live without long runs or my favorite aerobics class. What do you think? Thanks, Samantha

A. Hi Samantha! Thanks for the great question. I'm sure it's on the minds of many. Bottom line, the folks who said that are over-opinionated. Think about Lance Armstrong, the guy does massive amounts of cardio each week and is the picture of health. So do I ... and so do most runners, cyclists, boxers, kickboxers, soccer players and more.

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Ever wonder how much exercise you should really be doing and why? This Fit Kick has your answers.

For more quick and fun fit tips by degreed experts in the field of health and fitness ...

Who can forget the image of Carol Burnett as Scarlet O'Hara, complete with curtain rods? Actress and comedian Carol Burnett is as loved as the quirky characters she's played. So it's great to hear that she's taking good care of herself.

When asked what her New Year's resolution is, Burnett said, "Just to keep on keeping on -- and something for my own personal self, to continue to exercise. It's a tough one, but I do pilates, and they do help, for the bones and general flexibility. You have to have a trainer, and I have a wonderful gal who helps me. I'm not too thrilled as I'm doing them, but afterward I feel great."

Check out other TV stars New Year's resolutions.

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Fitness is important at any age -- it keeps your body looking and feeling good, it helps prevent a host of chronic conditions, and it boosts your energy. But as you approach the big 4-0, there are some additional reasons why exercise is important.

Exercise helps alleviate some of the symptoms of perimenopause, which can begin anytime during your 40s. Exercise is also a proactive measure against the estrogen loss that will occur later during menopause; it can help prevent related problems such as bone loss. Menopause may seem far away -- but being active now will make it easier when menopause comes knocking on your door.

Revolution Health has fitness tips for women in their 40s:

• Increase your core strength, balance, and flexibility. Improving these areas and maintaining them will help prevent falls and stiff, achy joints as you get older. Activities such as Pilates and yoga will help. AOL Health has tips on strength and flexibility exercises.
• Do weight-bearing exercise. Bolster your bone density by participating in weight-bearing activities such as jumping rope, aerobics, tennis, and jogging.
• Keep up the cardio. Cardio workouts will help keep your heart strong and help you maintain a healthy weight.

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The snow is flying outside my window right now. It's beautiful, but I know I'm going to have quite a bit of shoveling to do soon. Though shoveling snow shouldn't replace your regular workout, it certainly does offer fitness benefits. Like any other physical activity, you need to be smart and careful when shoveling snow.

• Warm up for a few minutes before heading outside to shovel snow. Walk in place for five to 10 minutes in your living room or climb up and down the stairs a few times.
• Stretch after your warm-up. Be sure to do some flexibility exercises that safely stretch your back, such as lying on your back and bringing your knees up to your chest. Also do some arm and leg stretches.
  
• Dress in layers so you can peel off your outer layers if you start to get overheated.
• Use proper equipment. Some snow shovels are designed for pushing light snow and others are designed for scooping and lifting heavier snow. Make sure you've got the right tool for the job.
  
• Use your legs. If the snow is too heavy to just push to the side, use your legs. Throw the snow in a forward motion -- don't twist and throw it over your shoulder or to the side.

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Maggie just told you to head indoors for your winter workouts. I'm with her. But some of you may be dreaming of working out in a winter wonderland. If skiing and snowboarding are in your future, make sure you're in shape before you hit the slopes. Divine Caroline has some training tips you should consider.

• Work your core. Sports like skiing and snowboarding require balance and core strength. Your core comprises your abdominals, obliques, lower back, and hips and helps your body remain stable during a variety of activities.
• Train your strength. You'll need strong muscles and joints in the snow, especially knee and hip joints and everything surrounding them. Work on your upper body strength too -- focus on triceps, shoulders, and your back so you'll be a pro with your poles.
• Flex your body. Skiiers and snowboarders need flexibility. So get stretching, and don't neglect the hamstrings, quads, hips, calves, IT band, piriformis, and lower back. Might as well get the upper back, chest, and shoulders too. Stretch at least three to four times per week after your muscles are warmed up.
• Pump up your cardio. Your heart and lungs need a workout too. Build your endurance with running, swimming, jumping rope (here are five reasons you should be jumping rope) aerobics, sports like soccer, climbing stairs, cycling, kickboxing, and more. Take your pick, and stick with it four to six times per week for 30 to 60 minutes a pop.

Come to think of it, this advice seems good for all-around fitness. No matter what your sport or goals, give these four a go and see how your body transforms. And for guidance on specific exercises to help you capitalize on these training tips, check out Divine Caroline here.

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Yoga? A good calorie burner? Yoga is well-known for the many health benefits it provides, the strength and flexibility it develops, and the mind/body balance it creates, but it's not usually touted for calorie burning.

Fitness Magazine shares a 60-minute yoga routine that can burn 500 or more calories (depending on your weight). The routine revolves around the sun salutation -- each circuit begins and ends with that series. Other series include half-push up, lunge jump, warrior, and chair with twist.

I tried one rotation of each move this morning -- far short of the recommended hour. It certainly does provide a good variety of moves and stretches almost all muscle groups. I can see where an hour of this workout would be great. Try it out and see for yourself!

For more yoga information, check out AOL Health.

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Be honest, how many of you stretch before or after a workout, or even just because? I'm guessing there are many of you who don't. Well, listen up: Stretching for just 10 minutes a day, three times a week can improve circulation, help your posture, aid in stress management and decrease pain, according to the health experts over at The Daily Mail.

The most important part of your body to stretch? Your back. Make sure you stretch it in six directions every day -- forward and back, from side to side, and rotating from right to left.

For more information on stretching and how it can keep you flexible for years to come, click here.

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Running short on time? Try your best not to let a full schedule interfere with your workout. You should schedule your exercise time and give it high priority on your to-do list. Don't look at your workout as something you can take or leave at your convenience. The fact is that staying fit and healthy will help you manage the rest of your chores more effectively -- you'll have more energy to be on the go, go, go.

But we all have those days where we just can't squeeze in a long workout routine. When there's just no way a real workout will work, try a quick 15-minute routine. AOL Health has a great 15-minute strength training routine. Or, if you'd rather, you can design your own workout.

• 10 minutes of cardio. Pick a convenient cardio activity that you can do almost anywhere and with minimal equipment. Walking, running, and jumping rope are all good options.
  

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