| The authors are the founders of The Pilates Center | | | | name can't be trademarked or restricted. That's good |
| and were certified in Pilates by Romana | | | | in the sense that the information is spreading so that |
| Kryzanowska, one of Joseph Pilates' original students | | | | many people can benefit from it. However, it's bad in |
| and the heir to the classical methods of his system. | | | | the sense that anyone can misrepresent their Pilates |
| Perhaps because of this, or because of the format of | | | | knowledge. |
| the "Everything" books, they go into a great deal more | | | | Their description of the basic principles of Pilates |
| depth on the full extent of the Pilates system than the | | | | differs from some others I've seen in that it includes |
| many other Pilates books I've been reading recently. | | | | "Oppositional Energy." Some authors may not like what |
| The other books all include a brief biography of Joseph | | | | they perceive as its implied negativity because of the |
| Pilates and his story, but this one includes a full history | | | | word "oppositional," but to me it implies balance in your |
| of his career and his studio in New York City. Plus it | | | | mind and body, and how you use the bio-mechanical |
| describes his main students who are now carrying on | | | | forces as you move your body. I believe it's important |
| the teachings he began. | | | | because so many develop one part of their bodies at |
| They then describe the many physical, mental and | | | | the expense of others, especially athletes. |
| emotional benefits of Pilates and how it's for | | | | The chapter on Pilates equipment is by far the best |
| everybody from coach potatoes to athletes, kids to | | | | I've seen. It's quite comprehensive. |
| the elderly. And stress that it's a program for lifetime | | | | They then describe a short Pilates workout of eleven |
| physical fitness, not a quick fix. They also have an | | | | fundamental exercises in the system: The Hundred, |
| entire chapter devoted to how Pilates can help | | | | The Roll-Up, The Single Leg Circle, Rolling Like a Ball, |
| rehabilitate injured people or simply correct chronic pain | | | | The Single Leg Stretch, The Double Leg Stretch, The |
| and weakness caused through imbalances and | | | | Spine Stretch, The Saw, The Swan, The Side Kick I |
| misalignments. Pilates instructors are not trained in | | | | and II, and The Seal. |
| medicine, but many physical therapists are getting | | | | They devote an entire chapter to each of those, giving |
| certified in Pilates and incorporating its exercises in their | | | | you great in-depth information on how to do them, their |
| professional work. | | | | benefits, beginners, basic and advanced versions. |
| They're also honest enough to describe (although in | | | | However, those are the only exercises included in this |
| vague terms -- the principals are not named) the legal | | | | book, so to learn the many other Pilates workouts |
| battles that have been waged over the Pilates | | | | available you need other books or to go to a class. |
| system. If, like me, you've wondered why you never | | | | They finish up with an interesting chapter on how |
| heard of Pilates until recently even though Joseph set | | | | much work it takes to become certified in teaching |
| up his Manhattan studio in the 1920s, that's why. It was | | | | Pilates. |
| tied up in court until an October 2000 decision that the | | | | |