Inspiring photography - very light on content - more of a coffe table book
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I would not recommend this as a book to learn how to do Pilates (even with the caveat that no one can truly learn a body movement discipline from a book).
This is a book dedicated more to its photographs than to information on each exercise. It resembles a nice coffee table book (but know that the paper stock is matte, not glossy) more than it resembles a workout book. What instruction there is, is terribly concise.
In all, if you are enamoured of Ms Bussell, then this book is for you. It makes a companion peice to the DVD. But if you are more enamoured of Pilates than the star, this book will most likely disappoint you.
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A really GOOD Pilates book at last!
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I've tried several Pilates books and been disappointed by them all: they simply don't describe and illustrate the positions and movements clearly enough to follow - and with a first and a PhD in physics I don't think the problem's just me being stupid! This one is different: the descriptions and illustrations are almost crystal clear, and the rationale for them is explained at just the right level to be helpful. And it's blessedly free from the mystic mumbo-jumbo that infects a lot of books on Pilates and yoga. Maybe it's because Darcey approaches Pilates as a working tool, not a religion. Anyway, 10 out of 10 for practical value. And beautiful to look at as well!
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Concise and practical
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Of the Many Pilates books on the market, this one strikes me as the most user friendly to date. The exercises are of a level that is safe for the complete beginner, and if done properly, will remain challenging to the experienced practicioner. To answer another critcism I have read, Many Pilates training courses advise incorrect breathing techniques as instructors have not all stayed current with the latest research. For those who understand the spirit of Pilates and are not afraid to be self- critical, this book will be a useful tool.
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Disappointed
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Having done Pilates in a class and found it (mostly)excruciatingly hard (but enjoyable) I found this book to be tame in the extreme. The exercises are very easy to perform and don't require any effort. Had I intended to purchase this book from a book store, the only reason I woud have bought it would have been for the beautiful illustrations!
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disappointed
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I saw this book on Richard & Judy when they interviewed Darcy, as a newly qualified teacher of Pilates I thought it would be good to use for ideas for my classes.
It looks great, good photos & instructions but I found it confusing that the breathing techniques are not those which you learn when learning to teach, they're the opposite & the exercises aren't named the same, so I was a little disappointed & returned the item
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