The Little Pilates Book [Paperback]

Erika Dillman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2001

Now you can enjoy the exercise many celebrities swear by, as you too become trim and fit with pilates. A holistic exercise designed to condition body and mind, pilates helps strengthen core muscles, improve posture and increase flexibility.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Pilates is not new--ballet dancers have been using it since the 1920s--but this discipline has won many more recent adherents as exercisers discover its numerous benefits, especially its ability to increase abdominal strength. The handy Little Pilates Book presents the philosophy, advantages, and history of Pilates; a "Pilatespeak" glossary that decodes the terminology you'll hear in a Pilates class; and 15 exercises. Each exercise has clear, step-by-step instructions, including tips and modifications, and illustrations of each position of each move. Be sure to study the eight "Guiding Principles" so you perform the exercises correctly. Erika Dillman (not a Pilates instructor, but an exerciser and writer who discovered Pilates and loves it) answers many basic questions, like what to wear, what kind of mat to use, and how many minutes to spend on each exercise.

Dillman wisely recommends using her book as an adjunct to a Pilates class or private lessons, not as a complete course in itself. You need an instructor to teach you proper form and give you feedback as you practice the exercises. Then, when you know what you're doing, this book can remind you about which exercises to practice and how to do them. The book's small size (less than six inches square) makes it a useful traveling companion for vacations and business trips. --Joan Price

About the Author

Erika Dillman is a freelance health, fitness, and sports writer and editor based in Seattle, WA. Her articles have been published in a variety of regional and national publications, including Runner's World, Self, Northwest Health, Hemispheres , Ms., Northwest Runner, The Melpomene Journal, and Women's Sports & Fitness. She is the author of The Little Yoga Book and The Little Footcare Book.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446678279
• ISBN-13: 978-0446678278
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 6.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,290,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Instruction, July 2, 2001

By 

"lea500" (Boyertown, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Little Pilates Book (Paperback)

Dillman takes a difficult exercise and explains it in simple terms. The Little Pilates Book is just as great if not better that The Little Yoga Book. It's a small, compact book to take with you anywhere. The exercises can be done anywhere. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about Pilates.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My tummy's getting yummy, August 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Little Pilates Book (Paperback)

After swearing by Dillman's THE LITTLE YOGA BOOK the last couple of years, it was a no brainer buying THE LITTLE PILATES BOOK. This was my second attempt to start practicing pilates. I had to stop previously because I found other pilates books too confusing. Dillman, however, is clear and concise, and i can see the results of my reading when i look in the mirror. There's no stopping me now. i highly recommend this book!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect traveler, September 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Little Pilates Book (Paperback)

The Little Pilates Book is the perfect match for me,a pilates beginner and frequent traveler. I like its straight-forward "basicness", brief explanations and easy to follow exercises. And the size of this book is perfect for travel; I just tuck it in my carry-on and pull it out for a few great, invigorating stretches at the end of a stressful day. And, as an added plus, when I hear friends complaining about their sagging bellies, I wrap up a Little Pilates Book (it's so cheap!) for their birthday. Needless to say, I'm a Pilates convert, and I think The Little Pilates Book is a little gem.