34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a Must Have Pilates Resource, March 23, 2007
This review is from: Pilates (Paperback)
If you practice Pilates your instructor can only guide you so much. To get the most out of your practice, you need to understand for yourself what the objectives of each exercise are, what form specifics to focus on, what visualization to use to achieve that perfect rep. "Pilates" by Rael Isacowitz will give you those tools.
Now, not only can you listen to your instructor, you can listen to that little voice in your own head to help you get the most from your efforts. Rael's Imagery cues for each exercise have been perfected over his many years of practice and teaching, and are incredibly helpful, whether you are a Pilates student or a teacher. Students who practice in a Pilates studio spend a lot of time on the apparatus and I love that equipment work is included in this book, unlike so many books which focus solely on the mat work. The number and variety of exercises in this book will ensure your workouts are never the same (just one of the things I love about Pilates!) and they are well organized, making it easy for you to design your own (or your client's) workout. Sample fundamental, intermediate, and advanced mat and apparatus workouts are given in the back of the book.
Whether a student or a teacher, you will find yourself referring again and again, to this wonderful resource.
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Authoritative on the science, art, beauty, and experience of Pilates, July 21, 2007
This review is from: Pilates (Paperback)
The author stuck with a simple template in writing his book that allowed him to convey his ideas clearly and gracefully. Each lesson in the book starts with an anatomical target under "Muscle Focus" and the "Objectives" of serving those muscles. The lessons end with "Imagery" that deals with the feeling and the mental execution of the desired motion.
The author refrained from venturing into areas outside his domain of specialized expertise such as nutrition or unrelated topics, which added to his credibility and emphasized the depth of indulging in the art of Pilates. The extensive number, simple content, and logical sequence of the photographs, which are properly labeled and placed in each lesson, all makes the book an easy read and useful tool for learning. Above all, the author himself demonstrates his role as a model for the reader.
The book has a brief history of Pilates, its benefits, and its principles. Those are grouped under ten principles that address awareness, balance, breathing, concentration, body centering, gaining control, efficiency of motion, flow of energy, precision, and harmony. The main emphasis of Pilates practice is described in terms of regional anatomy that is brought under the control of the mind such that it serves the purpose of skillful mobility.
The book falls into twelve chapters that deal with enhancing the mind and body, alignment and movement, and the different methods of accomplishing the objectives of motion control. The different methods entail: Mat work that falls into 70 pages, Universal Reformer that spans about 100 pages, Cadillac 40 pages, Wanda Chair 20 pages, Barrels 20 pages, Ped-a-Pul 7 pages, Arm Chair 7 pages, and Magic Circle 14 pages. The last chapter lumps all exercises in sample routines that facilitate quick referencing.
The major drawback of the book is the use of advanced tools in some lessons that might not be available to the majority of readers. Yet, the author has little to do with what others could afford and should not take the blame for such hurdle.
The priceless gain attained from reading this book is the development of conscious awareness of each part of the body and being able to survey what goes wrong on time to enhance performance. And, performance exactness is what the author is expert in teaching and in practicing.
Mohamed F. El-Hewie
Author of
Essentials of Weightlifting and Strength Training
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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Bargin for new instructors, September 25, 2006
This review is from: Pilates (Paperback)
I was certified through body arts and science and after paying over $3000 for my education I could not fork over the extra dough for the workbooks that were an additional $250. I laugh now cause this book IS the workbooks, muscle focus and orgins and all for $20! This is a fantastic book for the newly certified insturctor looking for a study guide or even the more experienced one that looks at another instructor from time to time and says "what was the breathing on that again." Stay sharp to keep the practice respected and our students healthy and strong.
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