Book reviews sourced from Amazon.com...
Book Reviews - Alicia Ungaro, "Pilates: Body in Motion"
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The best Pilates book to date...
Reviewer: Maritza Volmar (Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional Dominican
Republic)June 8, 2003 -
Pilates is a method of exercising, shaping and toning the body that's very different
from a common workout. Two years ago I started doing Pilates aided by a very good book
called The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler. In the first few weeks I had already lost
some weight, was noticing the outline of my muscles and had stopped feeling hungry
all the time. I have since dropped two dress sizes and I still do the workout daily.
After going through five other books I think that Pilates: Body in Motion is,
without a doubt, the best Pilates workout book to date. Why? Well, first, the
book is organized in a logical and easy-to-study format that helps to memorize
and follow the different levels of the workout program without missing a single
step, and allows browsing through them for quick consultations.
Second, it presents the complete sequence for each exercise photographed, and
step-by-step instructions for each movement with detailed, but simple, explanations
of posture, breathing and motion.
Third, it has complimentary information for each exercise: number of repetitions,
warnings and alternatives for people who shouldn't perform particular exercises,
modified versions to make sure the program is adaptable to almost anyone, dos and
don'ts to insure proper execution, and transitional positions between following
exercises to maintain the rhythm of the workout.
Fourth, it includes a thorough explanation of the key principles of the Pilates
method, whose application is fundamental to achieve the benefits offered by the workout.
Fifth, it contains preparation exercises for each level (from beginner to advanced)
that serve as a sort of test to indicate when to move on to the next level.
I recommend this book to anyone serious about maintaining a healthy, toned, and
well-shaped body. I would also recommend buying The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler
for additional exercises and The Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford for
a natural and effective way to backup your workout on advice on how to eat.
A superlative Pilates manual...
Reviewer: dnk "dnkboston" (Boston, MA United States) - August 15, 2002
...Ungaro also includes Circle and Wall exercises. These smaller, shorter routines
can be incorporated into your day when you don't have time for a full mat workout,
or added on to complement it. One drawback: she does not include the any of the Standing
Sculpting Series (used with light weights). If you need a reference for this, see Siler's
book. Otherwise, this is the perfect Pilates manual.
Superb... coming from a Pilates Instructor...
Reviewer: Carmen E. Huertas (Bethlehem, PA) - November 16, 2005
Great pictures. It begins with a beginners program, then it takes you
into intermediate as well as advance. It breaks down the exercise step by step
(as though you were watching a video). This book explains exactly what the exercise
targets and the reps that should be performed. As a Pilates instructor I refer to
this book quiet often.
A textbook for Pilates that works...
Reviewer: Wondertrout (American River)- October 9, 2005
This is an examination of Pilates matt, wall, and floor exercises that is
elegantly simple and easy to follow. For those wanting to know about the real
deal, and not just the flirty "pilates-a-go-go" at your neighborhood gym. It
is a gold mine of well explained progressions and checklists to follow, including
visualizations for mind and breath. It couldn't be better unless it came with a
certified intructor between each page. I recommend it highly.
Good for Beginners!...
Reviewer: Lily Star (Milan, Italy), September 8, 2005
I would like to recommend this great book to anyone who just like me starts to
practice Pilates. It is so detailed that while doing the exercises you feel as
if a personal trainer stands here beside you ready to consult you on every your
question! I found it very difficult at first to choose on Amazon.com the right
book for me, as there are lots of them on this subject. So I am grateful to
those clients of this site who had took their time to express their opinions
on what they bought! Very helpful.
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