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The Complete Classic Pilates Method: Centre Yourself with this Step-by-Step Approach to Joseph Pilates's Original Matwork Programme

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The Complete Classic Pilates Method: Centre Yourself with this Step-by-Step Approach to Joseph Pilates's Original Matwork Programme (Hardcover)

by Miranda Bass (Author), Lynne Robinson (Author)

4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

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Product details

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Macmillan; Ill edition (2 Jan 2004)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1405005580
ISBN-13: 978-1405005586
Product Dimensions: 24.6 x 19.8 x 2.4 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 191,509 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Following the comprehensive style of 2000's bestselling Official Body Control Pilates Manual (which has sold 150,000 copies in the UK alone), this dynamic programme for the intermediate and advanced Pilates devotee heralds a return to Joseph Pilates' classical matwork (which was originally devised for fitter-than-average people, eg. dancers and athletes). The 34 exercises are physically demanding but presented as ever in layman's language, with watchpoints, warnings and detailed advice on the timing of the breath, so crucial to the core stability that Pilates is famed for building. Preparation exercises ensure that you are ready to tackle the full action.

The exercises culminate in fluent workout programmes to maintain and challenge your level of fitness.

About the Author

Author Miranda Bass was a professional dancer when she commenced Pilates training to rehabilitate a chronic back injury. She has taught for over 12 years, at several leading studios. Editor Lynne Robinson is a co-Director of the Body Control Pilates Association, and has sold over 1.25 million copies of her previous thirteen books and six Telstar/Firefly videos. Consultant Gordon Thomson runs the original Body Control Pilates Studio in South Kensington, and is co-author of a number of Body Control Pilates titles.

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	58% buy the item featured on this page: The Complete Classic Pilates Method: Centre Yourself with this Step-by-Step Approach to Joseph Pilates's Original Matwork Programme 4.5 out of 5 stars (6)
	28% buy Official Body Control Pilates Manual: The Ultimate Guide to the Pilates Method - For Fitness, Health, Sport and at Work 4.6 out of 5 stars (12) �7.77
	5% buy The Body Control Pilates Back Book 5.0 out of 5 stars (2) �5.98
	4% buy The Anatomy of Pilates 4.0 out of 5 stars (12) �9.28

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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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4.5 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

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65 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the complete Pilates mat method, 28 Dec 2005

By	Russ (Kent, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Classic Pilates Method: Centre Yourself with This Step-by-step Approach to Joseph Pilates' Original Matwork Programme (Paperback)

Having reached the final exercise in the beginners level, which has taken me six months, I thought now would be a good time to write a review of this excellent book. If you're like me and want an exercise programme you can do in your own time and space; that fits into your daily routine without the need to travel to a gym or loads of equipment to set up then Pilates is the answer. If you also share my suspicion of claims of a new body from a couple of ten minute sessions per week for a month or two it follows you will be seeking a no-nonsense, honest and clearly laid out method - Miranda Bass's book in my opinion is precisely that.
The introductory pages give you strong impression of the reverence Miranda feels for Joseph Pilates legacy and the responsibility in teaching others, whether it be direct coaching or via a book. There is an equally strong impression that you're receiving information from someone who genuinely wishes you success but wants to emphasis that like all health and exercise regimes, there is no quick fix. To quote from 'about the author' pages, "many therapies advocate a 'letting go' of oneself in order to find freedom. I believe that freedom, especially to move, comes only through discipline and effort". This, I feel, is the key and this is just what I was looking for in a programme to follow and I have to say that my life has changed dramatically in the six months since I started.
After the introductory chapters, you are given practical advice about clothes to wear, buying a mat, using mirrors, health considerations before starting etc. and then onto becoming aware of your posture, bodyshape, and a thorough explanation of the importance of you lower abdominals, back, alignment and breathing before starting the exercises proper.
These are colour keyed into beginners, intermediate and advanced. A very clever touch is the fact that some of the beginners exercises are 'easier' variations of the same in the intermediate and advanced levels that frankly would be dangerous for an unfit person to carry out. This means of course that when you reach these exercises you're already proficient in the basic moves and breathing and just have to concentrate on a change of arm or leg position for example. At each step of the way you always have clear instructions and pictures - some of which are sequenced - and invaluable 'check points' to emphasise the particular areas of importance in each exercise and how your body will try and cheat when faced with challenge and effort!
As I'm exercising alone, I've supplemented this book with one of Lynne Robinsons' DVDs (Body Control 9) so I can check the speed at which Pilates exercises in general are carried out - and I was very pleased to find I'm doing everything spot on! All credit to Miranda Bass's prose style.
In conclusion, of all the Pilates books on the market I doubt you can find better than this; the title is accurate - The Complete Classic Pilates Method; allied to no-smoking, a healthy diet, and little or no booze, your body deserves this book!

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39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars pilates pure and simple, 31 Jan 2004

By	lucy k anker (guildford Great Britain) - See all my reviews

Of all the pilates books I have read this has to be the most exciting and challenging one.
Classic pilates are rediscovered and different levels are
clearly pictured and explained. In addition to the exercises
that are demonstrated in most books Miranda Bass goes one stage further and adds in more challenging exercises at the end.
Idealy the reader of this book will be someone who has practised pilates before. However, the superb photos that demonstrate the power of pilates can be inspiration to all.

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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has it all - I love it!, 11 Jun 2005

By	N. Rose (Norway) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Complete Classic Pilates Method: Centre Yourself with This Step-by-step Approach to Joseph Pilates' Original Matwork Programme (Paperback)

This book has everything. It has an introduction to all the basic moves, with pictures and how to perform them, and what you need to think about to do them correctly. There are exercies for the hole body with step-by-step descriptions and pictures. The book has 3 dificulty levels on most of the exercises, from the basic movement to the advanced, for which you can use when you get stronger and more used to the movements.
The only con is that some of the descriptions are so long, that you might want someone to read them to you when you do the exercise... But you might want someone to do and watch the exercises with you anyway, so you know that you are doing them right... :O)

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Exercises are mostly quite hard
I found this book to be full of exercises but not many for the beginner or injured. I also don't like the way this book, and other pilates books, don't address the fact the... Read more

Published 16 months ago by T. Grant

4.0 out of 5 stars As good as they say (with a few caveats for the beginner)
I won't repeat all the glowing things that previous reviewers have said about this book, only to say I agree, I agree, I agree... but... Read more

Published on 11 Jul 2006 by Dendera

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Pilates book
You wont find a better book on matwork pilates,no equipment needed, everything is covered from the background of pilates to the warm up. Read more

Published on 11 Feb 2005

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