Pilates

You can do it on your forearms, rather than your hands, and you can rest your body on your lower legs, not necessarily on the balls of the feet. But if you think this is making your hernia worse, then just don't do it, do something else, maybe an excercise on your back. Talk it over with your teacher or physio.

My pilates teacher says in all her classes about any exercise we do, 'If you can't do this (whatever she has asked us to do), do that (a series of less stressful alternatives that include just do not do this exercise at all). I would expect any good pilates teacher to do this.

Solved. Shown how to do it resting on a large gym ball. As it destablises it makes it more effective too apparently. Onwards ......

Yes I do that too, suzied. It's much easier and at least I can participate. In one class I used to go to we were made to hold it for one minute, so my alternative version was at least doable.

I have a Pilates performer ,makes the exercises much easier but just as effective .I bought mine from QVC UK ,online .There's a 30 day money back garauntee if you dont get on with it and they'll collect it from your home.Worth a try