A Pilates' Primer : The Millennium Edition - Softcover

Pilates, Joseph; Robbins, Judd

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1928564003 ISBN 13: 9781928564003

Publisher: Presentation Dynamics Inc, 2000

Synopsis

Customers interested in this book should look up the revised edition, now titled PILATES EVOLUTION, ( ISBN 978-1-928564-91-1), which includes the entire text of PILATES PRIMER, plus extensive new material. This older combination edition entitled Pilates Primer included both of the published works of Joseph Pilates, as does its Revised Edition, now titled Pilates Evolution. Both the older Primer and the revised edition, Pilates Evolution, contain the only authorized copies of the Library of Congress books originally written by Joseph Pilates in 1934 and 1945.
This Pilates Primer made available in one volume all of Pilates’ early Twentieth Century philosophies, principles, and theories about health and fitness, as well as the exercises, poses, and instructions fundamental to his exciting fitness program. You will also learn every single one of his original 34 mat exercises taught to his own students. Living testimony to the validity of his own teachings, Joseph Pilates shares in these writings his fundamental tenets of posture, body mechanics, correct breathing, spinal flexibility, physical education, and his law of natural exercises.

About this title

About the Author

At the beginning of the First World War, Joseph Pilates was imprisoned in England along with many Germans who happened to be living at the time in and around Lancaster, England. He was a German national who had been boxing and performing in England prior to 1914. While living in the Camp, he taught other residents the series of exercises that he had developed for personal use over the preceding decades both in Germany and in England. His own exercise sets drew strongly from his studies of yoga and Zen, as well as ancient Roman and Greek exercise regimens.

From the Back Cover

This Millenium Edition includes the only two published works of Joseph Pilates. Newly copyrighted, edited and revised, this book makes available in one volume all of his early Twentieth Century philosophies, principles, and theories about health and fitness, as well as the exercises, poses, and instructions fundamental to his exciting fitness program. He bases his work on the concept of a balanced Body and Mind and on the approach espoused by the early Greeks.

Joseph Pilates has been nothing short of revolutionary in his impact on the world of fitness and exercise. You will learn in this book his observations and conclusions about people's approach to physical fitness. He describes the results of decades of scientific study, experimentation and research into the variety of troubles and ills that upset the balance of body and mind. You will also learn every single one of his original 34 mat exercises taught to his own students.

Living testimony to the validity of his own teachings, Joseph Pilates shares in these writings his fundamental tenets of posture, body mechanics, correct breathing, spinal flexibility, physical education, and his law of natural exercises. It is a fascinating look into Pilates' original thinking and represents the foundation of an entire discipline embraced by fitness enthusiasts, health educators, and exercise trainers around the world.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION to the MILLENNIUM EDITION

by Judd Robbins and Lin Van-Heuit Robbins Certified Trainers in The Matwork Developed by Joseph and Clara Pilates

This new printing of Joseph Pilates' original 1934 and 1945 works retains the original photographs and step-by-step poses and accompanying instructions. While some of the latest research in the fitness world might suggest caution when performing some of these poses and exercises, the overall program of exercises developed at the turn of the 20th Century remains astoundingly effective and beneficial for fitness enthusiasts in the 21st Century.

As with all exercise programs, you should consult your doctor before commencing to follow any or all of the exercises and poses presented in this book. The overall impact of Joseph Pilates' exercises can be extraordinarily beneficial to anyone suffering from a variety of physical weaknesses. However, the exercises are most effective when presented to beginners by a trainer who has studied the matwork instructions as well as the fundamental physiological and biomechanical aspects of the body so analytically coordinated into the exercises by Joseph Pilates.

Joseph Pilates preached the benefits of a perfect balance of body and mind. He coupled his own gymnastics and martial arts background with a keen analytical approach to body mechanics, posture, and correct breathing. When we began to experience his recommendations for exercises, postural modifications, and breathing mechanisms, we truly began to feel like converts. Both of us are certified by the PhysicalMind Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the matwork originally developed by Joseph and Clara Pilates. We've read and use the principles offered in many fitness books, from yoga to stretching to strength training. Joseph Pilates created a truly effective combination of strengthening and stretching that can work well for virtually every body. With the right instruction and guidance, some or all of Pilates' recommendations can demonstrably improve anybody's health and fitness levels.

Edition details

• Publisher: Presentation Dynamics Inc
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1928564003
• ISBN 13: 9781928564003
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 158