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The Pilates® method may be today’s hottest exercise, but it has been endorsed by physicians for almost a century. Originally developed by Joseph H. Pilates to help strengthen and condition muscles, Pilates is the ultimate mind-body exercise for anyone who wants to tone, streamline, and realign their body without the bulked-up results of more conventional workout methods.
Now, in The Pilates® Body, author Brooke Siler–one of the most sought-after personal trainers in the country and owner of New York’s top studio for Pilates training, re:AB–provides a complete, easy-to follow program of Pilates exercises that can be done anywhere, anytime, and without machines.
With step-by-step instructions, Siler guides the reader through the complete circuit of mat exercises, each of which is clearly illustrated by photographs, line drawings, and unique visualization exercises. With Pilates you will not only streamline your figure–you will dramatically improve your posture, flexibility, and balance, and enhance your physical and emotional well-being. The Pilates Body shows you how.
Publisher : Harmony; 1st edition (January 4, 2000)
Language : English
Paperback : 208 pages
ISBN-10 : 076790396X
ISBN-13 : 978-0767903967
Item Weight : 1.1 pounds
Dimensions : 7.48 x 0.59 x 9.15 inches
4.5
Reviewer: Nancy the artist
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Nice, clean copy
Review: This was recommended for our class. I have one and ordered a second copy recently for a friend. It is thorough, easy to understand, and I’m addition to showing and describing the moves, it shows progressive levels of moves.
Reviewer: jbea
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Beginner to Very Advanced Pilates Flow
Review: Iâm new to Pilates and this Pilates book is easy to understand while providing this beginner with plans for workouts that are attainable and challenging, with visuals and instructions for beginners, working towards more advanced routines. Iâve purchased other Pilates books that are difficult to understand, but this book is clear and concise. Each exercise is clearly explained with images of the movements as you progress through each step. The exercises are clearly labeled as beginner to very advanced so you can build upon your routine as you become stronger. There is a flow chart you can follow once you are familiar with the movements. If you are a beginner like me, you can easily turn the pages, following the instructions and images while progressing through the whole body workout. As Iâve been practicing, Iâm building strength in my core and this is what Iâve been looking for in an at home routine. This book is well written, illustrated and progresses through the routine with clear instructions.
Reviewer: Joanna Ernst
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Informative!
Review: Great book. A step by step break down for each move. I recommend buying for beginners to advance. Iâm a beginner and this book has helped me to do moves better while doing my beginner Pilates workouts.
Reviewer: John Austen
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Excellent book–but use it as a supplement to a good teacher
Review: I had bilateral hip replacements three years ago (at 52), and now people think I’m in my 40’s and I get called “well-preserved” (which makes me feel a bit like a pickled condiment, but still). My arthritis was particularly severe (and widespread) because it started in childhood, with a condition called slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Essentially, the hips developed distortion as I grew; I adapted to my limited range of motion over the years, and ended up with severe limps, incredible pain, and worn joints in the back, knees etc. To give you some idea, I basically didn’t drive a car for about 10 years because it was too painful.After my surgery, I did everything–physical therapy, strength training, yoga. I did have some advantages: I was relatively young for hip replacement; I had already taken off the middle-aged paunch I’d developed; and not driving a car had kept me fit. Therapy etc all helped. But finally (at my therapist’s recommendation), I went to a “real” Pilates teacher (not just the classes at the gym). I did a course of private lessons, which she required before attending mat classes, and have now been going to group classes for a few months. But I found I needed more than just her classes–I needed to practice at home. As it happens, I bought Siler’s book some time earlier, but I really hadn’t known what to do with it. I picked it up again and realized it was incredibly close to my teacher’s routine. (Turns out, they went to the same school.) Using Siler’s book as my home guide, I started practicing every day. Wow. It has been absolutely transformative–and not just my body. I FEEL better; I know my digestion is working better; AND I shed that pesky ten pounds I’d been meaning to lose for my “ideal” weight (6 ft,, 175 lbs).I know, I’m making this sound like a miracle cure. And others could probably say that yoga can do the same. But I have found Piilates more clearly organized and focused, and therefore easier to get into and more targeted toward physical rehabilitation. So let me give some downside (for me): I find the exercise a real grind; I don’t get a “runner’s high”; and I kinda dread the daily routine, which leaves me feeling light but drained. I personally don’t find Pilates “fun” (the founder was German and called it “contrology”–no offense to Germans, but enough said.) I do it because the effects are so startling.So why am I giving this book 4 stars? Simple: in my experience, if you buy it to learn Pilates, you won’t succeed. It is a supplement to a good teacher. But especially if you are recuperating from anything that has compromised your core–or if you just have middle-aged slouch–invest the time and bucks, find a good teacher in your area (they do exist), and THEN buy this great book. I am not trying to discourage you by saying this; quite the reverse. Pilates is ABSOLUTELY worth it. But it’s one of those things that you just have to do right to get the real benefit, and you will be misled if you think this book, excellent as it is, will get you there on its own. If you really can’t find a good local teacher, I would recommend doing some private classes at a distance, with the understanding that you want to learn enough to be able to do it on your own. Pilates IS worth it, and I think Siler is correct in claiming that it can be done at home; but it does require more dedication than just picking up a book.
Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great book for original Pilates movement
Review: This is my second copy. Very good for original Pilates movements
Reviewer: Fitzgerald Fan
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: This book literally changed my life!
Review: When I decided to lose some weight last year after the birth of my second son, I also decided I wanted to vary my work out and seek outside my usual cardio/weight training routine. I am not one for the class environment, but I had heard so much about Pilates that I thought I would order a book and see what I could get out of it. Lucky for me, I bought Brooke Siler’s The Pilates Body just from searching Amazon; it has changed my life. I dedicated myself to working from the book daily to perfect the exercises and sequences and within just two months my body was clearly transformed. Now, ten months later, I am in the best shape of my life and I have found that I could give up weight training almost totally. My core is rock solid and my balance is better than it has been in my entire life. I am 38 years old and have never looked or felt better. Using Weight Watchers in addition to using this book (and doing regular cardio) I went from a size 12 to a size 4 and have maintained it.This book worked miracles for me. I am toned from head to toe, have terrific balance, and have a solid core. All of this WITHOUT machines!! It is extremely user friendly and offers great sequences that you can (once you are comfortable) tailor to your own preferences. As far as I am concerned, you need look no further than Brooke Siler to accomplish an awesome body.I would also recommend Hatha Yoga Illustrated (available through Amazon as well). Once I mastered The Pilates Body, I started adding a Yoga component, through this very user-friendly book, which has helped me with focus, breathing and (even further improved) balance. If you think you can’t better your body and your current workout without expensive trainers, classes and DVDs, guess again. If you work well on your own and are motivated to change your body (and your overall outlook), these books are inexpensive miracle workers. For real.
Reviewer: Bruce Robinson
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: This book has helped me for two decades
Review: I’ve never taken a Pilates class; I’ve only used the exercises in this marvelous book. This has been the most effective regimen I’ve ever used.
Reviewer: Sofia
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
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Review: Nice explanatory with great images
Reviewer: linda
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Really great book for teachers and practitioners alike. I particularly like the use of imagery.
Reviewer: walter
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Bel libro ma troppo essenziale forse adatto a chi già conosce la materia
Reviewer: abhay kumar
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Good
Reviewer: Joel Gagnon Bernier
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I’m a complete noob in pilates, but not to the fitness in general. Only after 5 days after I receives the books and start doing the basic excersices I found that really helpful to increase my global mobility, strengt and flexibility. I lift heavy wight 3 times per week and run, doing some agressive workout, but I like the peace and calm way to build the powerhouse. I feel that a great form to complete my other form of exercise. The instruction are blear and well writien. It’S straight to the point. The only weakness I see is for people that aren’t use to the patern of the human body or are good visualizer, an instructional dvd in the books and you got a great Pilates for dummies parkage. And men don’t be affraid to give it a try because you may be surprise on how your powerhause ( core) is drasticly important in your life in general and even in bed and you take control of your body, Man’S up!
