Rating: 
Summary: Getting Started?
Review: I've been doing Pilates for 3 years now. I did start with some personal one-on-one training. I would highly recommend investing in this before you start your matwork (two to three private sessions should do it.) Then you can move on to matwork exercises. Brooke Siler's book is the best I've seen for covering mat-exercise basics. The illustrations demonstrate how to do the exercise in either "beginner", "intermediate" or "advanced" mode. It's clearly written and very easy to follow. I strongly urge you to compliment your home routine with the private sessions I spoke of before. Although Brooke explains it all very well, there are some very small nuances to doing these exercises correctly that only an instructor can show. Don't skip over the beginning of the book, especially the chapter about "Key Elements to Mastering the Mat". This is the section that explains the "nuances" that are really key to reaping the benefits of Pilates. Good Luck!
Rating: 
Summary: Great start but how to correct your form?
Review: This is a great introduction to Pilates with good photos and clear instruction. The best part is the enthusiasm instilled in the reader as you follow and the visualizations. I started with this book and a video and now I go to a regular mat class once a week at a Pilates Studio. I contend, however, that this book is not clear on how to protect your back and how to really keep the core stable. There is a figure in the beginning of the book that shows good and bad form. I swear that it is hard to know which is right at first! At the studio, I finally learned the true meaning of "core stablization." It is key to know how it feels and how to protect your back while doing some of these exercises. Now I go back to the book and see it in a new light. I understand that a studio may not be in reach for all, so all I am saying is to spend a little extra time on the basic protection of your midsection so you won't get hurt!
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Summary: pilates made easy
Review: I've bought all the Stott Pilate tapes, the Physical Mind Institute tapes and Allan Menezes book. Brooke Siler brought it all together with her concise directions, cueing, and visual imaging. Very very good. Her book gave me just the oomph I needed to start teaching pilates in all of my classes and I reccomend her book to all of my students.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent and easy to follow introduction to Pilates
Review: Prior to receiving this book as a gift, I had never done Pilates, but I had read about the method and was intrigued by it. Author Brooke Siler writes in a straightforward manner; she provides important and helpful information without overdoing it. She begins with discussing the origins of the Pilates method as a means to explain the value of this technique. She goes on to describe the most important components of the Pilates philosophy and reviews in practical terms how these apply to the exercises. For example, she thoroughly explains the concept of the "powerhouse," the band of muscles which form a belt around the abdomen and back and which serve as the foundation for Pilates practice. With respect to the exercises themselves, Siler is detailed and meticulous. She carefully describes each exercise using easy-to-understand metaphors (eg, imagining you are glued to the floor), exceptional graphics, and pictures of student models. With respect to the three student models, each one is designated to portray either the beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels, which helps make the book extremely easy to follow. Furthermore, Siler provides outstanding information on how Pilates students can build from the beginning to more advanced levels of practice. Each exercise is clearly marked for the appropriate level, and Siler explains how to start with a modified beginner series of exercises and to add new moves gradually as appropriate. It is also important to note that Siler was trained by Romana Kryzanowska, protégé of Pilates founder Joseph Pilates. This means that her book follows the authentic exercises and sequencing patterns taught by Pilates himself many years ago. As an instructor, Siler has a very down-to-earth, non-intimidating manner; she is warm, supportive, encouraging, and enthusiastic, qualities which shine through the pages of her book. Now that I'm more familiar with the Pilates method via various videos, I've come to appreciate this book even more. While it has been helpful for me to actually see the exercises being performed on video, I have found that this book gave me a solid foundation in the Pilates technique. It serves an an excellent adjunct to video workouts, as no where else will you find such thorough and detailed information on form as Siler provides here. A highly recommended book!
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Summary: The Pilates Body, Brooke Siler
Review: We use this book in my Pilates class at the fitness center where I practice and teach. The illustrations are good, and her dialog is easy to follow.
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Summary: A book that every fitness buff must have!!!!
Review: I have been overweight for a few years now, and finally decided to do something about it. I went back to the gym, and hired a personal trainer to help motivate me. I am at the gym six days a week, three days for weight training, and three days of just cardio. However, after three months I didn't notice much of a change in my waist. I have been watching my diet but still after I lost the first five pounds I hit a plateau. I bought this book at least five months ago, and was doing the modified beginner excercises, but not on a regular basis. I didn't really start using the book until about a month ago. I followed the plan of doing Pilates four times a week. I am now on the Intermediate excercises (which are challenging). I picked up the movements quickly, since I had many years of ballet when I was younger (there are a lot of similar movements). I have now lost about 4" in my waist, and have broken past my plateau. This is the best book I have found on Pilates. The illustrations help you focus on the proper technique of each excercise. The book explains each excercise in very simple terms, so even a non experienced person can pick up the proper form (Proper form is very important so you don't stress your lower back). I've noticed my lower back and stomach strength has increased dramatically and my stomach is finally getting cut. Not to mention I am finally losing that lower ab pouch (which as most of you know is very tough to lose). I can fit into my jeans again that I haven't been able to wear for a year. I've been recommending it to everyone. I will never give up this book. Pilates has become quite addicting. I find myself longing to get home from the gym to start my Pilates routine.
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Summary: Best pilates book on the market to date.
Review: Pilates is a difficult exercise to teach in a book format but this book does it really well. Its unique organization and presentation style make it easy to follow a routine no matter what level you're at. In a creative way she incorporates all levels, from basic beginner to super advanced. And her instructions for learning each position is excellent. My only complaint is she is unclear in telling you how to "scoop the belly" properly (an important technique in pilates). If you can check another pilates source to understand the scooping technique, then you'll be fine.
Rating:
Summary: great for beginners
Review: Pilates is very difficult for most people to learn on their own. This book gives great visualization tricks along with the explaination of each excercise. It great to have a knowledgable inststructor to help correct form, but this book is about as good as a book can be to teach Pilates.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: As a Pilates instructor I analyze books for my students to use at home. This is one of the Best, with well written and accurate descriptions for form.. and carefully divided into exercises for beginners and advanced. Pilates is precise and it is hard to instruct in book form. This is a great exception; I still recommend a few lessons from a certified instructor
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!!
Review: This book is excellent in explanation and photos. It's good for those of us who don't have access to a class. I've been doing it for a week or more, and I feel like I'm tightening up some and that my pot-belly is beginning to flatten out. The only thing missing is an explanation of correct breathing, which is found in the Complete Idiot's Guide to the Pilates Method. It seems trivial, but it's so important that Joseph Pilates said that if you don't follow any further instructions, at least learn to breathe correctly. Between the two books, I think I can learn Pilates, though it's gonna take some time. It's definitely not learned overnight but will probably be worth the time it takes to do so.
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