Product Description

Pilates is an exercise method designed to elongate and strengthen the body emphasizing balance, alignment, proper breathing and core stability. Osteopaths, physiotherapists and general practitioners recommend its simple, low-impact approach as one of the safest forms of exercise, ideal for injury prevention, rehabilitation, and overall physical health. Pilates can be beneficial for just about everyone, regardless of age and fitness level."The Anatomy of Pilates" takes the reader inside the body to show exactly what is happening to the body's muscles and joints during a Pilates exercise. At the heart of the book are 150 full-colour illustrations that show the muscles that lengthen and strengthen in 41 classic exercises, together with information on anatomy, technique, breathing, pitfalls, and more. "The Anatomy of Pilates" is an accessible, authoritative guide for current and prospective teachers of Pilates, practitioners at all skills levels, physical therapists and health professionals.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33170 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 157 pages

Review
This book is very informative, very well presented and very practical. The author has that quality of being able to present his material in a very clear, enjoyable and user friendly manner. --Positive Health, April, 2009

About the Author
Paul Massey, B.A.(Hons.), M.Sc., M.C.S.P., S.R.P., is a leading physiotherapist in private practice as well as a Pilates instructor. Massey works closely with governing bodies of athletics, swimming and hockey, both at home and internationally, and has attended numerous Olympic Games and World Championships. He received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Team Award in 2000. He lectures worldwide on sports injuries and Pilates, and has written or co-written several books on the subject, including Sports Pilates: How to Prevent and Overcome Sports Injuries and The Pilates Prescription for Back Pain.

Customer Reviews

A Book for all Pilates Teachers
This is a 'must have ' book for all students and teachers of Pilates, as it assumes a good level of prior knowledge of the classic Pilates exercises.
It is written in a clear no-nonsense and understandable style with handy colour tab referencing for easy each chapter.
The book is packed full of essential and relevant technical information with sections on making postural assessments, how to identify common faulty patterns of movement and corrective exercises.

Each of the classic Pilates exercises is simply explained identifying common faults and watchpoints along with anatomical drawings showing the major muscle emphasis; a unique concept to Pilates books.

Paul Massey has gathered together, along with his own knowledge, a level of information that would take a shelf full of books to put together.

If you are looking to buy a Pilates book and are bewildered by the vast volume of Piates books flooding the market, then this is the one for you.

Very basic - expected more
I am a Pilates instructor and thought that this book that was written by a renowned Physio - which Massey is; would be bursting at the seams with fantastic information about what muscles are doing in each individual exercise.

Although there were good explanations in the first 3 chapters of what muscles do - and some good background Pilates education when it comes to chapter 4 this all falls apart.

There are diagrams of the 'classical exercises' which are now considered to be Intermediate/Advanced level moves - which is limited in itself as you do not get the lower level alternatives to study - these diagrams have arrows to the muscles being used - but no break down of whether they are agonist/antagonist/synergist/fixator etc - this means that it is not suitable for a quick reference and you have to then flick about and try to work it all out yourself - not what I expected and very disappointing.

I would recommend 'Anatomy of Movement' by Blandine Calais-Germain,
'Relax your Neck and Liberate you Shoulders' and 'Pelvic Power' both by Eric Franklin and the 'New Rules of Posture' by Mary Bond for any serious Pilates Instructor as you learn much more about how bodies work and how to make them work PROPERLY.

When you are teaching Pilates you cannot presume that peoples bodies will do exactly as you want them too - this is when poor recruitment patterns occur - it is by having lots of visual tools, instructions and ideas and a great understanding of desired muscle action that you will achieve the desired results.

Excellent Product for teachers and those who would like to know more
My title says it all, I am a Body Control trained Pilates teacher and consider this book a must for any aspiring Pilates mat teachers, though it is primarily aimed at the classic mat which maybe considered too advanced for many clients the material gives an excellent view of muscles used and the objectives each exercise. A must read