The Complete Guide to Joseph H. Pilates' Techniques of Physical Conditioning: With Special Help for Back Pain and Sports Training - Hardcover

Menezes, Allan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1630267376 ISBN 13: 9781630267377

Publisher: Hunter House Publishers, 2004

Synopsis

Pilates is enjoying a surge in popularity as more people discover the way it improves strength, muscle tone, flexibility, and stamina; relieves joint and back pain; and reduces stress. The method, created by Joseph Pilates, is based on strengthening core muscles while increasing the flexibility of the supporting muscle groups. This book details Pilates' original floor program, with newly revised descriptions and step-by-step photos of the exercises.

This new edition contains information on daily living patterns that can disrupt the body's biomechanics; back-strengthening routines for sports like golf, tennis, and racquetball; exercises for computer users -- upper back, neck, and shoulder routines; more advanced versions of the original exercises; and the stamina stretch, to increase breathing capacity and support abdominals before each exercise. In addition, the book offers an introduction to the history and philosophy of the Pilates system, information specifically for athletes, a chapter addressing pain relief, and helpful illustrations and worksheets.

About this title

From the Author

The most comprehensive guide to the Pilates Method ever
The most comprehensive guide to the Pilates method available I "stumbled" upon the Pilates Method almost 20 years ago and it fixed a chronic back problem I had from a rugby accident. I was an instant convert and changed careers to enter this fascinating arena. Coming from an athletic background brought a different perspective to the ballet-dominant field of Pilates. With this different insight I "created" a series of formulas and rules with which to perform the exercises, including those for breathing, progressing the exercises and how to guage your results, amongst others.

The exercises themselves are "more complete than any other book that is available on the market today" (writes the Physicalmind Institute, a training centre for Pilates Instructors). There are guidelines to what is the appropriate exercise for you, how to sequentially perform the movements and what to do if you find it a struggle.

There are sections on specific areas of the body: lower back pain, tight shoulders, knees, etc. There are charts at the back of the book with recommendations of 6 different levels of exercises to choose from and an order form to order any of the seven videos based on the book - including two exclusive ones: Pilates for Athletes and Pre-natal Pilates.

I had a great time writing this book and was thrilled to learn that people all over the world were using it as an instructors manual as well as obtaining relief from back pain by using the specific techniques contained therein, especially the innovative "B-Line" for lower abdominal connections. Prior to its launch in the USA, this book was selling worldwide from my studios in Australia and via our internet site. I was amazed at the sales...

Please give your honest comments, they would be greatly appreciated.

Edition details

• Publisher: Hunter House Publishers
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1630267376
• ISBN 13: 9781630267377
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 224