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Title: Pilates' Return to Life Through Contrology by Joseph H. Pilates, William J. Miller, Judd Robbins ISBN: 0-9614937-9-8 Publisher: Presentation Dynamics Inc Pub. Date: February, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.57 (7 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A must-read for serious Pilates students (and teachers)
Comment: This is the original Pilates (or Contrology) "manual". In succint (if not always fluid) text, Joseph Pilates outlines the intentions of the legendary exercise system he designed as well as how each exercise should be performed.
This is a simple, short manual. It's surprising that a system that has ended up being shrouded in so many mysteries and rules, particularly by those who are in his direct "lineage", started out relatively humbly. Many, many Pilates instructors will tell you that if you can't take a class in Pilates (and usually in an expensive studio), you're probably doing it wrong (and then maybe it's not worth doing). Also, many instructors have argued that most people aren't ready to do the matwork and that they should almost always begin with sessions on the equipment (again, under the watchful and expensive eye of an instructor). Pilates, however, writes that his system should help you "Return to Life" at a minimum of cost and time. The tone of his writing is inclusive- his system should be readily available to everyone. While he does insist that the instructions he sets out should be followed and that one shouldn't move on until all previous exercises are mastered, I'm not sure that the man who wrote this book in 1945 would approve of the elitist tone that some of his modern-day disciples have adopted.
It's interesting to note some of the exercises that are not included in the book. For example, the five-part Stomach Series is one of the most famous sequences in the modern Pilates matwork. Here, however, Pilates only includes the first two exercises (the One Leg Stretch and the Double Leg Stretch). Also, the matwork system is also well-known for the Side Kick Series. Here, Pilates only includes the Side Kick- none of the other now-common five, six, seven, etc. variations. Were these not included because they hadn't been invented yet or because they were deemed too difficult? Not sure, but he does include the more difficult variations for exercises like the Corkscrew.
The instructions for each exercise are simple and (for the most part) easy to understand. That said, it is easy to understand why many Pilates instructors could get overly wordy on some of the movements. Many of the exercises he demonstrates put a lot of pressure on the neck. I wouldn't necessarily advise that this be the only Pilates reference or manual someone uses to learn the movements.
In addition to the instructions for the Contrology matwork, Pilates also shares his thoughts on the importance of proper diet, sleep and relaxation. After reading this twice, I would say that his primary concern was a lack of good circulation. He explains that his system was designed to promote just that (and that's part of the reason almost none of the movements are done standing), and he even has suggestions for the proper way to clean the body such that the skin can breathe (answer: dry-brushing).
While some of Pilates writing style may be off-putting to modern readers, he comes across as a man who would like to make the world a better place, one body at a time. If perhaps a little too strident at times, his motivation seems both benevolent and sincere.
Rating: 3
Summary: Pilates=Delsarte+European Physical Culture circa 1890
Comment: Pilates work differs little from Delsarte theory and its decomposition exercises. The writings of Joseph Pilates is stunningly similar to the late 19th and early 20th century works of such physical culture luminaries as Bess Mensendieck, Alice Bloch, Genevieve Stebbins, Professor Attila (the trainer of Sandow and Klein) the coursework of Henry Titus, and many more examples could be found in works by Charles MacMahon, Bernarr MacFadden, Charles Atlas and Tilney.
While it is good that this information is out there, readers should be aware that Pilates is not revolutionary in any way. Time and motion photographic studies of the human body date to the 1880's and Taylor's principles of optimal body movement were evident in early 20th century physical culture exercise training found all over the Western world.
Rating: 2
Summary: Not for the Beginner
Comment: This book is overpriced and of poor quality. The paper and printing are well below current standards even though it was published in 2000. I really wasted my money on this. I did find his ranting about society in general somewhat interesting. Seems people complained about the same things in 1934 that they do now: Society is in a mess and the media is mainly at fault for this. What is the cure for all these ills? The Pilates Method.
If you are looking to get started with Pilates excercises don't buy this book. You can buy two or three of the others for the same price.
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Title: Your Health: A Corrective System of Exercising That Revolutionizes the Entire Field of Physical Education by Joseph H. Pilates, Judd Robbins ISBN: 096149378X Publisher: Presentation Dynamics, Incorporated Pub. Date: 01 February, 1998 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Anatomy of Movement by Blandine C. Germain ISBN: 0939616173 Publisher: Eastland Pr Pub. Date: 15 October, 1993 List Price(USD): $28.50 |
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Title: Anatomy of Pilates by PhysicalMind Institute ISBN: 0970530617 Publisher: Physicalmind Institute Pub. Date: 31 December, 2001 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
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Title: The Complete Guide to Joseph H. Pilates' Techniques of Physical Conditioning by Allan Menezes, Allan Menezes ISBN: 0897932854 Publisher: Hunter House (CA) Pub. Date: 01 July, 2000 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title:Classical Pilates Technique - The Complete Mat Workout Series (Modified Basic / Basic / Intermediate / Advanced / Super Advanced) ASIN: B000069YWP Publisher: Classical Pilates Pub. Date: 20 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $19.95 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $19.95 |
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