Product Description

Firm, slim stomach. Fantastic posture. Strong, lean muscles. Clear, relaxed mind. Just four of the amazing results you will see and feel if you take up Pilates. And who better to introduce you to this fabulous form of exercise than a woman who has practised Pilates as part of her professional training ever since the beginning of her incredible ballet career? Darcey Bussell is passionate about Pilates and her introduction to the core programme is the easiest, clearest and most encouraging available. Beautifully designed throughout and immensely practical in its detailed attention to each exercise, it is the perfect combination - aspirational and achievable. Darcey quite simply loves it, and anyone who picks up the book will too.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64995 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

About the Author
Born in London, Darcey Bussell was a late starter to ballet at the age of thirteen and studied at the Royal Ballet School. In 1986 she won the Prix de Lausanne. Then in 1987 she joined Salders Wells Royal Ballet, where in 1988, at the age of nineteen, she was recognized by MacMillan and then joined the Royal Ballet as a soloist. On her opening night in The Prince of the Pagodas playing the part of Rose, she made history as the Royal Ballet's youngest ever principal. In 1990 she received the Evening Standard Ballet Award and the Variety Club Award for Most Promising Newcomer. In 1995 she was awarded an OBE

Customer Reviews

Concise and practical
Of the Many Pilates books on the market, this one strikes me as the most user friendly to date. The exercises are of a level that is safe for the complete beginner, and if done properly, will remain challenging to the experienced practicioner. To answer another critcism I have read, Many Pilates training courses advise incorrect breathing techniques as instructors have not all stayed current with the latest research. For those who understand the spirit of Pilates and are not afraid to be self- critical, this book will be a useful tool.

A really GOOD Pilates book at last!
I've tried several Pilates books and been disappointed by them all: they simply don't describe and illustrate the positions and movements clearly enough to follow - and with a first and a PhD in physics I don't think the problem's just me being stupid! This one is different: the descriptions and illustrations are almost crystal clear, and the rationale for them is explained at just the right level to be helpful. And it's blessedly free from the mystic mumbo-jumbo that infects a lot of books on Pilates and yoga. Maybe it's because Darcey approaches Pilates as a working tool, not a religion. Anyway, 10 out of 10 for practical value. And beautiful to look at as well!

Clear, concise & beautifully photographed
Let's face it, the author has an amazingly toned body, which is completely understandable given the fact that she is a professional ballet dancer, but I am glad this book does not promise an instant 'Bussell Bod' or NVQ in the principles of Pilates.

Written with the complete beginner or intermediary in mind, it provides very clear, concise and safe instructions (corroborated by absolutely beautiful photography), of exercises favoured by the author, now a veteran of Pilates with 19 years experience of the technique. It is a complete and easy to follow introductory programme to the technique which thankfully, for me anyway, does not require any previous experience or involve in-depth reading!

The exercises are incredibly simple to learn, but physically very rewarding - they really do require quite considerable effort when carried out properly, but they remain incredibly addictive - five of us had a physically and spiritually uplifting time during our lunch hour at work today! (and have vowed to continue to do so- great fun!) If your interest has led you this far, you must buy this book!!