Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A well written book, with plenty of directions to get oneself fit both physically and mentally. Recommended.

When I read the synopsis of this book, I thought it would be something that would be suitable for me. I struggle with depression and anxiety and I already know that I would benefit from more exercise, so I thought it was a no-brainer to read it.

First of all, this was clearly a very well researched book, written by a very knowledgeable practitioner. However, it was a little like reading an physiology paper at Uni! Lots and lots of facts. What I was looking for was a simpler, how-to guide to get some more exercise into my life, something easy to understand. This wasn't it. And I was disappointed, I am sorry to say.

The other thing that really started to irk me as we went along - I am a person who has had both her knees replaced. SO many of the exercises started in a kneeling position, not something that is easy for me to do, at all. Yes, I know there were lots of other exercises in the book that would have been ok for me to do, but overall, I feel that if you are already really flexible and strong, not a problem doing the suggested exercises. For the rest of us, a bit more of an issue.

I think that the book was targetted to other teachers of various modalities, and not to the layperson who would like to feel better, through simple exercises.

So, for me, 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

This book is really well researched and organized. I’m not a huge fitness buff, but it was really interesting to learn more about the importance and fitness to the body. I really liked all the examples in the book because they added such a personal touch. Seeing that all the exercises weren’t necessarily high cardio or massive bench presses and more of regular things that can be slowly added into an everyday routine was great. I think this book should be a must-buy for any fitness instructor, but would also be enjoyed by anyone hoping to learn more about the why and how behind their exercise journey.

This book explains using science the benefits of movement and exercising on brain and thus on mental health. I There were a lot of medical terms but each of them were described so anyone can easily understand what's written about in the chapters. The exercises mentioned were very well explained. The science based explanations are easily understandable and it proves once more why it is so important to move. This is a book worth to read it if anyone is interested in the science behind exercising and movement.

Extensive explanations and imagery to turn to when you have a question about, “why should I exercise?” I found this text to be helpful for beginners of body science.

THE SCIENCE OF MOVEMENT, EXERCISE, AND MENTAL HEALTH by Jennifer Pilotti offers a unique perspective about the multifaceted relationship between physical health and emotional issues, particularly worry and depression. According to her publisher, Pilotti has been teaching movement for almost two decades and has a special interest in the effect of movement on mental health especially for anxiety, chronic pain, and trauma. She divides this text into two parts. Part I looks at "the why," by asking what does research on exercise and mental health tell us? Part II explores how to apply these scientific concepts and includes sample programs with ideas for progressively more difficult exercises. Diagrams, photos, and explanations are available throughout the text so as to increase readers’ comfort level with movement and their bodies. Pilotti cites numerous references for each chapter and offers easy-to-understand examples of ideas like the contrast between top-down (more intellectual) thinking and reflexive responses to stimuli. Her work seems particularly important as the population ages and one example is the fear of falling. She says, "when you can't easily feel your body's position in space your emotional state might be affected. ... It stands to reason, then, that someone prone to feelings of anxiety will have an altered sense of their body and how they maneuver through the world." Pilotti does frequently make reference to a client or a patient so it seems that this text is primarily geared towards other coaches and movement professionals (there is an entire chapter titled Effective Coaching) more than to the average person, although they will be the ones who ultimately benefit from the instruction. Given that rather narrow audience, I rated this at three stars; a shorter version with more focus on actual exercise routines for individual workout could merit four stars.

I received a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Not a chill read. Make sure to have a notebook on hand and ready. Don’t read too fast or your eyes will blur, this is information to be taken in. a very informative book discussing health and science that touches on all the things you have trouble understanding. Very educational and interesting if you like the subject.

Aimed at practitioners but I found useful insights

This book is really aimed at practitioners and adding ways of adapting exercises to suit their clients and then gradually move them towards being able to do the full exercises.

I read it from a client’s perspective and found some insights that will help me to assess whether particular movements are OK for me. Adapting exercises using different starting positions, blocks, straps and other accessories will enable people with physical constraints, limitations and concerns to try exercises and work their way towards the full version over time. This feels like a very inclusive and welcome approach to me but the practitioner focus of the book may not suit some people.

I was given this book from the author via netgalley only for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review should I choose to.

I think this book was more for professionals than the likes of me, but what I did understand, I enjoyed.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Brilliant book giving a good insight into how the mind is so powerfully linked to your physical being with some great exercises to try to help with flexibility and posture. Thanks for allowing me to review this book early.

Pilotti shares her research, science, and personal anecdotes with readers in a way that allows you to connect the physiology with your own needs. While very scientific, the book was written to be accessible to a layman.

**I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Brilliant, brilliant book - highly recommended
I have been practicising Taichi and QuiGong for many years. This brilliant book by Pilotti really goes deep into the foundations of any kind of working with the body and its connection to the mind. There was an important focus throughout on anxiety, depression, chronic pain and it is quite clear that the principles expounded have an even wider application.

I totally loved the science part and as an interested layperson I could follow very well the succinct exposition of Pilotti on a whole gamut of topics: so illuminating and fascinating. There were many examples and sometimes exercises to fully understand the theory - just so well-rounded! It helped me to understand more deeply many aspects of my own mind-body practice and how to expand on it. I loved how Pilotti gives many helpful assists for those teaching or facilitating clients.

The second, complementary part of this book is as brilliant as the first. Pilotti shares her vast knowledge of practical applications with the reader. The part is choke full of insights, practical tipps and exercises. Its hands-on approach is very well-written and can be used immediately for exercises which impact mental health/well-being via the body.
This is a highly recommended must-have for anyone working with the body - be it a professional practitioner or an interested layperson.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is left voluntarily.

This is a very technical book and probably meant for professionals rather than lay persons. Even someone experienced with the mind body connection such as I am had a very hard time following it.

This book discusses the relationship between exercise and mental health. The first part of the book gives an extensive review of the research literature on how various forms of exercise (cardiovascular, strength, stretching, games/play) can help improve anxiety depression and other mental health problems. The second part gives a number of exercises and practical applications. The book gives a very thorough coverage of these topics, in my opinion.
This book would be most useful to a movement specialist, whether a physical therapist or a certified trainer. It also could be useful to mental health counselors or other medical professionals. It is a useful addition to the literature about wholistic treatments for mental health problems.
I received a complementary copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Very helpful technical manual on physiology and mental health. Lots of good data and references. Could have used more anecdotal stories to help connect the data to the person. The photos were helpful and unobtrusive.

This is intended for professionals, but anyone who has an interest in wellbeing may find the evidence amassed here to be fascinating. Facts about exercise and mental health are clearly referenced, which can be useful if you want to find out more.
A strong case is made for the use of exercise to combat anxiety, and arguments are linked to case studies.
The diagrams are useful for visual thinkers. There are clear ideas for practise, such as integrating 'top down' and 'bottom up' approaches to movement. This struck me as potentially very useful when working with someone who thinks in a different way to you.
The physiology of 'freezing' could have implications when working with someone who has experienced trauma.
The one thing I felt lacking was an awareness of how neurodiversity impacts on this topic. Autistic people can often struggle with interroception, and on reading the section on this concept, practicioners might be inclined to think autistic people are all hypochondriacs. Equally, outdated language about autistic people is used on the one occasion we are mentioned.
That being said, the exercises are interesting, well illustrated and accessible to people of all fitness levels and body types.

This book is very well researched and will be a good reference for professional practitioners. It resonated with me as someone who has chronic knee pain. I often feel my mind plays a big role in the severity of the pain and can understand fear of certain movements makes it worse. It has made me more aware of my responses to situations. I think it may have been better with more frequent illustrations to break up the text.