Rating: 
Summary: Very helpful book!
Review: I was interested in starting pilates because I read somewhere that a model who had mild scoliosis (a curve in the spine) started doing pilates, and for the first time in her life, she was not seeing a chiropracter. I have mild scoliosis also, and sometimes I have back pain for which I see a chiropracter. So, I figured I'd give pilates a try. I have had this book for about 3 months now, and my back pain is much improved. I still wake up stiff and sometimes in pain, but if I do the exersises in the beginning part of this book, it really eases it out. Almost immediately after trying the exersises in this book, I noticed a difference. I am not a doctor, so I can't say for sure whether this book will help everyone with back pain, but it certainly helped me. The money I have saved in chiropracter fees has certainly paid for the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Overall great book
Review: I bought this book partly because of the picture on the front. I would much rather have her body than the manly-looking body builders. She looks like a dancer. I am thoroughly enjoying the book, especially her creative ways of describing how you should be positioned, etc. The only drawback for me is that if you are new to Pilates, there isn't a lot of instruction on how often/which parts to do to achieve certain results. I was a little confused as to what made up a full program and what was extras. Overall, I'm pleased with the purchase
Rating:
Summary: The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler
Review: If you want to buy just one book on Pilates I would recommend Brooke Siler's The Pilates Body. Ms. Siler's book is a must for anyone beginning Pilates to anyone who is advanced. The photos are wonderful in their precision and the explanations are easily understood and practical. I practice three times a week with personal trainers and when I go on vacations or a place that I cannot take a class, I bring the book along to remind me of the sequences and the correct positioning. It is very important to have the correct posture and concentration while performing these exercises. I highly recommend taking some private lessons along with working with her book. I have both of the reprinted Joseph Pilates books (which I recommend for pictures of Joe doing the original exercises, theory and history) in addition to Sean Gallagher's book (which I felt was helpful but sometimes convoluted). Brooke Siler's book clearly and simply brings Pilates to you at home. Where are the videos Brooke?
Rating:
Summary: The Pilates Body--Wonderfully Informative and Encouraging
Review: I first read about Pilates in fitness magazines, and I was intrigued by the concept of stretching and strengthening muscles without bulking up. After months and months of researching reviews and comments for the best Pilates how-to book, I bought The Pilates Body just recently. Her book stands out remarkably--I truly have yet to read a negative review about this book. Her tone throughout the book is very caring and encouraging, never pushy or condescending. Her explanations are simple, and her visualizations techniques are wonderful. Before I purchased the book, I did a Pilates workout that was recommended in Self magazine and was very pleased with how I felt mentally and physically, which prompted me to look for other materials regarding this method (which, in turn, led me to this book!). I have yet to get to the Full Mat Program, but even at the beginning level, I find myself sitting up taller, breathing regularly, and constantly saying to myself, "Navel to spine!" The method is refreshing, effective, and relaxing, and you will learn a great deal about your body and the way it moves. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Pilates.
Rating:
Summary: A great addition to a Pilates book/equipment collection
Review: I've been using Pilates for the last two years to combat over 30 years of serious back pain. It works like nothing else. Although I've had considerable personal training by physical therapists in a Pilates studio, once the insurance cuts out it's quite pricey. Home work is essential. The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler is the best book I've seen or used as an adjunct to my Pilates 'small apparatus' (ball, wall springs, rotating disc etc) and a couple of videos. I do agree with another reviewer that to get the most from this book, one must have some training from a certified Pilates professional. Without a proper knowledge of the full scope of the training concept you could worsen injuries or create new ones. Ms Siler's approach is friendly, easy to use and understand for the studio beginner or the intermediate student who want to practice at home as part of their regular workout. It's also very comprehensive, even including some great arm/light weight routines that other books miss. Pilates saved me from back surgury and has changed my body dramatically. With a change in how I view my diet and eating habits (getting rid of everything 'nonfat'), I've lost 35 lbs and people don't recognize me. My husband says I look 20 years younger, and I feel it. Pilates has a lot to do with it. I also recommend interested students look at www.balancedbody.com and ask for a catalog...they don't show all the small apparatus equipment on the website. I can be contacted regarding the reputation of this company (Walybird@aol.com). Anyway...buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Most Used
Review: I bought three books at the same time. I use this book almost exclusively. I started out with the modified beginners routine and have progressed to more. Pictures are clear and the style is friendly. There are a good variety of exercises and it will be awhile before I have tried everyone. I feel better after the exercises and try to do them every morning.
Rating:
Summary: Well Worth the Money
Review: The Pilates Body is my introduction to Pilates as a form of exercise. I had heard about Pilates before, mainly in association with the 'apparatus' that Joseph Pilates invented years ago, and have always had a slight regret that I could never try out this method. For some reason, it never occurred to me that *anyone* can use Pilates. I suppose I was too busy running on treadmills and lifting weights everyday to even look into Pilates seriously. Brooke Siler's book has almost a perfect score of reviews, in case you haven't noticed. That was the reason I picked this one -- the only reason. It was all the same to me, because I had never picked up a Pilates book. Now here I am contributing to that perfect review score. This book is a great intro to Pilates. The book and myself are the only instructors I have, and that's enough for me. As Siler says, if it feels like you're doing it wrong, then you probably are. Pilates, after all, stresses natural movements. In nature, we rarely work only one part of our bodies (ie. biceps, triceps) at a time. Why, then, do we exercise ourselves in this unnatural, comparatively useless manner? These exercises are all about balance, control, and flexibility, three concepts that are unexpendable in a human body. Pilates makes you feel as though you are actually working with your body instead of dragging it around with you. It sincerely does change the way you maneuver yourself around in your everyday life. That's a strange concept, one that can only be understood with the practice of this method, and I highly recommend this book as a tool. You'll be concentrating so closely on how much better you feel, that you'll look in the mirror one day and be shocked at how much different you look, especially around the stomach. --That's a ton of fun, a feeling worth much more than fifteen bucks.
Rating:
Summary: Great Resource
Review: This is perhaps the closest thing one will ever get to having a personal Pilates trainer. I own another Pilates book and have exercised using that, but Siler's The Pilates Body tops that in many ways. First, Siler was able to provide inputs and tips that are vital to the understanding AND proper execution of each matwork. In addition, the author also carefully explains to the user the fundamentals of Pilates exercise; a very important factor in achieving the right results and avoiding injury. Second, she taps into one's visual imagination to help carry out the exercises effectively. Sketches of these visual images are likewise included. Third, before launching into the matwork proper, there is actually a portion on exercises for beginners. This is good because Pilates is not exactly the easiest kind of exercise to get into, especially after one has been accustomed to aerobic and weight-lifting exercises. Finally I like the fact that the book communicates its rich contents in a clear, direct, (no unnecessary ramblings, and I liked that!) and encouraging manner.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT!
Review: I took a Pilates class and this book reallly told me what to expect. i will definetly buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: just bought it - but i have high hopes for it!
Review: I'm a 19 year old college student, and i really don't have time for exercise. i am not what you would call fat, in fact i am regularly told that i am thin and that i ought not to worry about anything. i am not over weight, i consider myself healthy! i have never been a sports buff and refrain from atheletics all my life (i'm more of an intellectual! *wink!*). as a consequence, i have never been toned. i have been looking for ways to tone myself (not weight loss, mind you!) so that i can look better and feel better - i know some sort of stretching and exercise is good, but i never could find the right one.....after reading the reviews, i am extremely hopeful about this book, having heard about the pilates method on tv..! i really, don't want to lose weight, just to be toned! especially my stomach and my limbs........here goes!
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