Discovering Pure Classical Pilates: Theory and Practice as Joseph Pilates Intended

This book is worth reading even if you have been a classical Pilates teacher for years. I recommend this book to all of my students, Peter has a wonderfully precise way of describing the differences and benefits between classical and the Pilates based things out there and also yoga vs Pilates.

An excellent book about how Pilates originated. Lots of health benefits listed including a boost of the immune system and increases in balance.

One part of this book is a useful but oft-repeated history of the development of the Pilates exercises by Joseph Pilates. The other is a well-justified polemic against the dilution of the original method for the purpose of commercialization by people who really don't know the method well. The author's point is well taken, but its questionable whether its worth buying a whole book when this argument has been made often in print and on the web by teachers of the classical method. Yet the author's passion for his subject is admirable.

LOVE this movie/teaching series! Get them all!! Fantastic addition to your studio library.

This book tells the story about the founder of Pilates and how important it is to use and practice pilates. Easy read totally recomend.

Good insight in the classical pilates movements. I would have wanted more insight in the why's and how's of these movements. Other than that: OK

a must read for all who Teach or are even contemplating studying Pilates! Peter is well versed and tells it like it is!loved it!

I thought this book would explain why traditional Pilates should not be altered. Wrong!For the most part, the book identifies different ways Pilates has been changed (without mentioning names) and concludes that all "mutations" are not traditional (by definition), are wrong, and should not be called Pilates. The circular logic is boring and repetitive. The book contains useful explanations of the 7 principles, 4 keys, and integration of mat and apparatus in traditional Pilates. The rest is silly: the discussion of the Greek concept of Paideia, which Joseph Pilates may (or may not) have incorporated into his method; the quotations from spiritual texts (I Ching, New Testament, and others), and the chapter about Pilates as a metaphor for life. In comparing the work of psychologists and Pilates instructors, the author finds that, unlike psychologists, "Pilates teachers interpret psyche and body in motion." There's even a quotation from the author's doctoral dissertation on movement and anxiety. I liked the author's Classical Pilates Technique DVDs, but it's a stretch to market this book as a companion guide to the DVDs.

The original true "Classical Pilates" exercises - clearly demonstrated and defined. A 'must' for all those interested in following Joe Pilates method - as he intended.

This book does not describe any of the classical or modern pilates exercises. It is really a presentation of one man's opinion of classical pilates and not a particularly enlightening one at that. If you want to know the difference go to a Body Control or Modern Pilates class then go to a Classical Pilates class (or buy Classical Pilates Method by Lynne Robinson et al) and decide for yourself which you enjoy and benefit from. If you are looking for a reference for the Classical Exercises Joseph Pilate's book Return to Life through Contrology is the original and truest source (note some of the images are out of sequence which can be confusing) and Classical Pilates Method is an easier to read and more comprehensive source. If you are looking at pilates because you have back problems Body Control and other modern methods are safer - don't try Classical without supervision if you have back damage.