This basic manual for Pilates is especially helpful because of the cautions about avoiding poor form while you're doing the exercises. The limitations of any book attempting to teach you how to do physical movements is offset by the authors' knowledge of what mistakes typical beginners make.

I'm training for a certain activity and was told that Pilates would be great to do because many people in the sport do it. I knew _absolutely nothing_ about Pilates. I asked around at local fitness clubs but couldn't find any instructors. Lacking local instruction, I bought this book based on the recommendations here.

The many pictures and instructions for the actual exercises were very easy to follow. However, the information in the introduction (including an explanation of the 6 basic principles) left me so very frustrated and confused! The book says to flatten your lower spine against the mat ('neutral spine') by 'lengthening' your spine without moving your hips or other body parts...but that's physiologically impossible! Does she not understand the basic mechanics of the body? And 'scooping' is described as feeling like a corset being tightened around your waist...which is only helpful if you've worn a corset before. Since the book implies that the exercises do little good if you don't have these principles right, the good, clear instructions on the actual exercises are probably useless to me because I don't clearly understand most of the basic principles.

I also doubt some of the claims of Pilates now that I've learned more about the system. I'm sure the system works fairly well at 'core' strength training for most people who use it, but some of the other claims seem a bit mystical in nature. If you love this method, that's great. If you understand the basic principles of Pilates, then this is probably a great book for you. Otherwise, I just can't recommend this book. I'll stick with "Straighter, Stronger, Leaner, Longer" by Renee Daniels which works the 'core' muscles as well as every last bit of the rest of your body.