Customer Reviews

Pilates Body in Motion Deck

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are other good Pilates books out there. Brooke Siler's Pilates Body, in my opinion, raised the bar for all Pilates books- and so far few have come close. Jennifer Kries' Pilates Plus Method is VERY comprehensive and tells you more about muscle relationships and breathing patterns than you thought you needed to know, as well as quite a bit about yoga and dance. However, for the student who wants to learn Pilates (and not yoga or dance), this is the book to use.

Ungaro gives a brief description of the origins of Pilates (and hers is slightly more detailed than some of the other accounts) as well as an introduction to Pilates terminology and principles. READ THESE if you are just starting out. Also, better than other sources I have read, she explains why some movements are considered "Beginner" and some are "Advanced"- good information for anyone who has ever scratched their head when watching a video or following another manual.

Then to the body of the book. She first lays out the Introductory Program, a series of six or seven of the most basic Pilates movements done with modifications. Then the Beginner's Program, which is exactly the Introductory program only with more traditional form. For the Intermediate and Advanced programs, she uses guides which show all of the exercises in order. In addition to being a good quick reference to what sequence to use, it also gives the reader a sense for how each exercise should flow into another.

The exercises themselves are explained with photographs linking breathing to each "mini movement" and just enough text to explain what to do. The photographs in this book- as well as the pages themselves- are perfect. Color photographs in muted tones that make it easy to see what you're supposed to do without being distracting.

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.

Pick up Pilates:Body in Motion and you know you're actually going to work out with it. The photos are so beautiful and inspirational I found myself lying down immediately to attempt the routine. The introduction is thorough and simple to follow. The author sets the stage for the student to perform each exercise according to the principles she explains in the introduction.

Several added bonuses which I found in this book that were not in any of the other books I looked at. 1) There are breathing instructions on every page for every exercise. 2) Ms. Ungaro is a Physical Therapist and so each exercise comes with a "caution" for certain injuries. I found this very helpful as I have an old knee injury. 3) There is an actual "TRANSITION" for each exercise to help you link one exercise to the next. Although I haven't gotten that far, I imagine that this routine will be very aerobic if you keep moving through the exercises without stopping.

I have been doing the intro section now for just about a week and I think I have the "scoop" concept down pat. I plan to move on to the beginner section next week. I will write another review as my results become apparent.

Pilates: Body in Motion is a stunner. I picked this book up at the bookstore and my first thought was - "wow, this is so beautiful, I bet the content is poor". Well, I was wrong. The pictures and gorgeous layout are actually secondary to the clear, precise, and extraordinary instruction that author Alycea Ungaro provides for each and every exercise.

I am a Pilates student and have been working out at a studio for about 5 years now. I have many of the other Pilates books but from now on I will only refer to Pilates Body in Motion. The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler has been my best resource until now but that book is very long winded and a bit weak on photographs. This book by Ungaro really put it all together. Great design, superlative instruction and a good price too. I am planning to buy her audio Mat class next to put her instructions and her live voice together for a true "real-time"experience.

I have just recieved and read through Pilates: The Body in Motion and I am absolutely thrilled to have it. DK publishers are known for their beautiful layouts and incredible assortment of how-to books. This book is no exception.

I have been doing Pilates for about a year, following along with several other books as well as Ana Caban's tape series. Not one of the other materials has the information that this book has. The introduction is incredibly detailed and the author even provides charts to follow along with for whatever level you are working out. The first section of the book has an introductory exercise with a checklist to see if you remembered to "think" your way through the movement. Very useful. I found this to be key to getting in the right frame of mind to do my Pilates workout. But I think my favorite thing about this book is the "Head-to-toe Checklist" - which illustrates all the mistakes that I could possibly make. Sometimes they are quite funny to look at, but mostly I think they provide a good visual reminder of what NOT to do.

All in all, this is a great value for the money and by far the most comprehensive Pilates book out there. Bravo to DK and Alycea Ungaro.

The thing you'll keep noticing about this book is how beautiful it is-- the photographs look like something out of a coffee table book, and the layouts are perfect. But it's extremely user friendly too. Of all the Pilates books out there, this is the one that comes across as the most interactive. Each exercise is explained clearly and simply, with really helpful cues and visualizations, and every spread includes a quick sequence of photos to guide you through the movement.
The text is complete without being overwhelming-- Pilates is so detailed that descriptions of how to perform it correctly can be like instructions for building a kid's bike from 10,000 tiny, unfamiliar pieces. Alycea Ungaro does a great job of getting to the heart of each exercise and communicating what's important without any fluff or distractions. Also, her introductory information is both helpful and interesting, and useful for referring back to again and again.
Overall, I find this book useful and entertaining- working out with it is actually fun, and the fact that its perfect models include a man is inspiring!

I am relatively new to Pilates. Thankfully, I had beginner's luck, due to the fact that Ungaro's "Pilates: body in motion" was one of the first two books I bought regarding Pilates. The other was not too good, but this one more than makes up for it.

In my opinion, Alycea Ungaro should be praised for writing such an useful and clear book. In the introduction, Ungaro says that "Life wreaks havoc on our bodies", due to the fact that "Our routines and habits cause us to consistently overuse specific muscles", but that Pilates can be an antidote to that. She points out that Pilates is "not a mystical cure-all", and that it is not supposed to replace other forms of exercise but rather complement them, in order to help you to "look better, perform better, and, above all, feel better".

"Pilates: body in motion" has not only good explanations besides each exercise, but also many photographs that allow the reader to understand how to perform each one correctly, and what to do to avoid the more common mistakes.

I think it is also worthwhile to highlight that this book is neatly divided into chapters, one for each program (introductory, beginner's, intermediate, advanced), and one as introduction. That helps the reader to save time, due to the fact that he can find the exercises that correspond to his level quite quickly. What is more, it also gives each person the opportunity to advance at his own pace, something we are not always able to do in a class.

On in all, I think that this is an excellent book, and I strongly recommend it to anybody who practices Pilates, or would like to practice it. You won't be disappointed :)

Belen Alcat

I have recently begun an intensive pilates certificate training program and was recommended this book to use as a reference guide. It has become an invaluable tool. It is thorough, easy to understand, and beautifully photographed and layed out. I don't know what I would do without it.

As a teacher in training I am constantly looking for new cues and new ways to approach the exercises. What is most impressive about this book is that Alycea Ungaro seems to have captured the essence of each exercise. She reduced each movement to it's most fundamental principles and put it into words that are easy to understand and follow.

The models are perfect in their positions. It was especially nice to see a guy doing Pilates - after all, Joe was a man!

If you are just starting out with Pilates, or have been doing it for a while you couldn't pick a better book.

I have been interested in Pilates since before it was the "new trend." I remember searching the internet just to find a basic video. Although Pilates isn't hard to learn, it definitely needs to be done correctly to be beneficial - and sans a costly personal instructor - very good instructions are needed. As pilates has hit the mainstream, so many books and videos have popped up - and I have tried many. However, I never really could tell if I was "doing it right".. there was always 'something' about the exercise the book or tape just didn't explain enough. UNTIL NOW! This is the best pilates book i have seen. The pictures are great, the step by step instructions are so complete, the breathing instructions are thorough.. and there are very good examples AND PICTURES of 'what not to do!' I finally feel like I can learn Pilates correctly and really utilize the exercises. The book also is broken into different routines. A wonderful job!! Highly reccomended...

I was a bit skeptical about Pilates at first, especially when you see TV ADS about Pilates. However, my son and I learned that the #1 Hockey Goalie in the United States Hockey League (USHL) Tier 1 Jr's used Pilates to recover from an injury and maintain core strength and maximum flexibility. Pilates definitely was a reason for his great balance, flexibility and strength levels. If it was good enough for him, we thought we'd try it. In 2 weeks of following this books easy illustrations and easy to follow program dad (age 42) has lost 4lbs, and my son (age 16, hockey goalie) has improved his core strength and flexibility...which translates into fewer pucks going into the net. No more nasty sit-ups and bad backs and necks. Infact, the mind portion deals with focusing on completing the exercises in correct form. You're not there to blow off 20 or 30 reps in 2 minutes in this program. Each exercise is a concentrated effort, focus, breathing and movement and it takes alot of focus to continually do all this...therefore, making it a challenge which is great. You'll see results quickly if you're doing the exercises right. The time flies by and you'll feel better about yourself and actually the book is right, you can't wait to do the next session, and advancing to the next level. If you can't afford 10 minutes a day then don't buy this book. IF you want to change your life, get trimmer then buy the book. Also, you can't be eating 4 candybars a day, drinking a ton of soda and plowing down a six pack of beer. You must have a sensible diet too. :)
The book takes your thru a series of 7 exercises in the introductory phase which is 4-6 weeks long, then the beginner phase which builds on the intro phase. I'm having a blast with this program. IT was well worth the $$$$. Highly recommend the book. Trying to get my wife into it now.

Joseph H. Pilates, the German inventor of the Pilates exercise method must be smiling in the heavens. The lifelong pacifist who was born in Dusseldorf, Germany in 1880... devoted his life to the study of physical education. He moved to the United States in 1926 and afterwards became active with the New York City Ballet. "Pilates; body in motion," by Alycea Ungaro of Tribeca Bodyworks is a treasure chest of Pilate exercises for a hard body.

Mr. Pilates passed away in 1967 but not without leaving behind his philosophy of form. He established six basic principles...breath, concentration, control, centering, precision and flow in order for men and women to attain, "the inherited birthright of physical perfection." This book is comprehensive. It includes an introduction and four exercise programs. The introduction and beginner's program are short...but the intermediate and advanced programs provide a wealth of drills.

Please be warned...this is difficult stuff (especially for the over 50 crowd)...even for those who frequent the gym on a regular basis. The key to success is to follow the instructions carefully and gradually work your body into shape. If you rush the program your body will be talking to you (with pain or soreness) the following morning. At the risk of being redundant...do not fast-forward the exercise unless you are in outstanding condition...the Pilates school of thought looks easy but is a challenge to master correctly. The photos in this slim book are excellent. Moreover, the narrative is clear and succinct. Highly recommended.

Bert Ruiz