Customer Reviews

Pilates' Return to Life Through Contrology

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Having studied Pilates(R) for some time and gone through many of the phases of body change and self discovery that the system provides. The book is a reproduction of a relic originally published in 45 under the title "Return to Life Through Contrology." Contrology was the original name that Joseph Pilates gave to his system of exercise. The (R) marks and the PILATES name spattered everywhere is a result of the recent surge and push to mass market the system for profit. This book takes the reader, who simply must be a Pilates student to benefit, back to a more pure time, where Joseph Pilates' ideals grew, not out of a need for copyright symbols, but by a simple desire to understand the human body and to perfect it (beginners should seek out one of the more recently published books to get a better idea of its modern application). This book takes many reads to fully absorb. After reading this book, I discussed it with my instructor, Atasha Avery in Seattle. I understand how she works better because of the book. I now understand her subtle corrections and statements more (whereas before I knew they worked seemingly by magic as she and Pilates(R) transformed my body from flabby and inflexible to somebody who for the first time in my life is free of back pain and comfortable enough with my body to show it off more) and am more able to help her help me. I would definitely not replace Atasha with this book, or with any other instructor for that matter (in my opinion she is a model of the ideals that Joseph Pilates expounds on in his book and is by far the most qualified instructor I have ever worked with. For inspiration, however it is great. The pictures in this book are originals of Joseph Pilates. Although they are not very clearly printed, and should not serve as a guide to performance of the exercises (the best book for this purpose is "Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning" by Philip Friedman and Gail Eisen), they are a part of Pilates history. If you are serious about starting Pilates and just have to click on a book to buy, click first on Sean Gallegar's book. Then, spend your money on a qualified instructor like Atasha... if you still want more as you advance with your instructor, then by all means buy this book. I give it 5 start because of its historical value. If I were to rate the quality of the publishing separately, it would only rate 1 star. You can't tell from the picture, but this is also a very thin volume, so don't be disappointed if you were expecting an encyclopedia. Good luck, and remember, Pilates is Fitness That Works.

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.

I am a Pilates instructor so I found the book immensely helpful in understanding the origins of the Method. I would, however, only recommend this book for an instructor or a serious student of Pilates as it is not an easy read. If someone is looking for a glossy, modern guide to Pilates, this is not the book. It amazed me that so many of the techniques he advocated so many years ago are so effective today. Both the vintage pictures and the text fascinated me! Again, this is an excellent book for people who really want to know and understand pure, unadultered Pilates.

I find this book very informative, not only historically but medically. As a nurse it's interesting to see what techniques are applicable to today and which we now know may not be safe. It's also interesting to see how Joe's original descriptions of his exercises have changed over the years, according to who is doing the teaching. I feel it was really overpriced for it's size, but for me worth it.

I've been doing Pilates sessions now for a year and bought this because it is written by Joseph H. Pilates who developed the system. I've enjoyed the other one or two books on Pilates around at the moment but thought this might give a new insight. I just could not get into this book and, strange to say, found it not to be at all relevant for someone like myself who enjoys Pilates as a form of exercise. It is not an easy read and this is not helped by the surprisingly poor quality of the book as a whole - poor b&w reproduction. I can see that this might give some useful background for Pilates teachers but don't believe it adds anything for the 'layperson'. Have I missed the plot or does anyone else out there share this view?

Joseph Pilates was a genius. it is great that he is starting to get the recognition he deserves. It is great to know that there is a book in print with his photos of his original mat exercises.

Great book! Lots of cool photos of Joe doing very difficult moves. Truly inspirational.

Joe wrote two really good books. YOur health and return to life. He espouses the greeks and athenians. A sane mind in a sound body, not too much and not too little and know thy self were all high points in his books. I highly recccomend this book.

Sinverely,

E.sill

3 reasons for buying it now:

1) it is cheap !

2) great historical insight on the origins/ideas behind the creation of Pilates (assuming you love Pilates)

But mostly important:

3) Several exercises descriptions are different in few but _fundamental ways_ from what is done in Pilates studios !

And by that I even include the so called purists or classical Pilates. Just one example: in the open leg rocker, the toes _touch_ the floor or mat when and the legs are open as far as possible moving backwards. But there are many more. The impression I have is that most studios are too much worried with safety issues (due to liability/litigation), notice how every exercise that involves the neck is toned down in nowadays practices. Also studios are catering to a mostly women's clientele so they tend to "adapt" the original exercises. Yet Joseph Pilates used to train boxers before he became popular with the ballet crowd. The only other book that I know that is close to the originals is: The Complete Book of Pilates for Men: The Lifetime Plan for Strength, Power & Peak Performance Also the breathing instructions in the original are more accurate than many other books and we know how breathing is important in Pilates.

I was very amused about a reviewer that got offended that " Pilates did not restrict himself to write about exercising only, that he dared to preach on how one should live one's life, how to educate children, etc ..." at least this was the spirit of the review but again Pilates did not create just a set of exercises but he is not proposing any "religion" but simply pointing that exercises by themselves are not enough for one to enjoy a health life, that one's diet, and other behavior are as well as important. Anyone with common sense would agree that he was way ahead of his time and perhaps ours?

LOVE THE HISTORY AND THE BOOK HAS A VALUABLE INFO.

I got the book on time and I enjoy practicing the workout from it.