Rating: 
Summary: Cool stuff, but buy the tape or get a different book.
Review: I have been practicing martial arts for over 12 years, and have learned many, many ways of trying to gain flexibility.I found this book to be very interesting and entertaining, and the basic concepts presented are fairly simple to understand. With some searching you can verify that Pavel's methodologies are basically sound, but he rightly emphasizes that improper application of his methods can be dangerous. If someone that's in reasonable physical condition with decent flexibility was given this book, they'd probably do fine, and maybe realize some awesome improvements. This is definitely not the book for a sedentary person with poor flexibility or a history of joint injuries. Pavel's later book "Relax Into Stretch" is a much better purchase, because he basically took this material, made it less dangerous, and introduced a somewhat more structured method of gradual progression that is more appropriate for a wider range of people. The "Relax Into Stretch" video is also a simple, easy-to-follow tape that allows you to see exactly how Pavel performs these stretches. Pavel's greatest failure with this book was introducing some excellent concepts while failing to provide sufficient scientific explanation and references for the intellectual while providing insufficient caution or structure to the beginner. For a far better and more affordable guide on safe and surprisingly effective stretching, check out Kit Laughlin's "Stretching & Flexibility" and "Overcoming Neck & Back Pain" - these are phenomenal books for all levels of knowledge and ability, are far safer, and offer a much wider range of options for overcoming particular areas you may have difficulties with.
Rating: 
Summary: Beyond Stretching
Review: I have read the customers' review before I bought the book "Beyond Stretching". I must give 100% endorsement to those readers who comment that it is "overpriced". The book has approprimately 150 pages. However, the content in the book is not rich, the material either in words or photo covers only half in terms of size to the book. You can find a medium size photo with less than 5 lines of words occupying a whole page. Second, if you take a glance at the "advertisement" in the book, you will find that "beyond stretching" is also available in video,... which is cheaper than the book. I think most readers agrees that for a subject involving a lot action, a video tape is more likely a better choice. I just don't know why there is no option open to us for video tape. The author claims his theory is completely different from the Western traditional ones. However, I find the concept in the book confusing. Even after reading a second time, I don't really how the author distinguishes his own theory from those he claims traditional but wrong ones. To avoid injury, I have a lot of hesitation as if i should follow those I understand in the book to do stretching. I must admit English is not my first language but I have no diffficulty in reading other English books. Apart from reading customers' review of that book, I have also read some customers' review of the author's other books. I am impressed that his books are over-priced. I also know that video tapes are also available for some of books. My experience is that a lot of books, particularly instructional, are sold together with video tapes as supplement. I don't why the authors chooses to sell his books and the tapes separately... It is a disappointment and I would like to ask those are interested to think it over again before they place the order.
Rating:
Summary: Poor book...
Review: I was very disapointed with this book... Pavels theories seem to focus more on weight lifting... I understand it's a good idea for an author to hammer home his idea and maybe say something more than once to reinforce the idea, but he really over did it. I really don't like this kind of marketing where you have a little information and so you charge a lot of money for it Pavel could have easily made this book 20 pages long theory and pictures!
Rating: 
Summary: The best
Review: I'm 15 and I recently started learning Tae Kwon Do and found that i wasnt even near flexible, I had a hard time getting my front kicks to my waist. I couldnt even think about knockin someone in the chin with it, so after a lot of recommendation from my father (a martial artist also) I bought this book. Within a few months my flexibility increased dramatically. I am now able to kick over my head and can nearly do front and side splits. The pictures are kinda crappy and you have to read the book a few times in order to really comprehend what he's talking about. But other than those few and miniscule things this book is excellent. This is an excellent book and I would reccomend it for all martial artists along with anyone involved with sports of anykind.
Rating: 
Summary: A very good book, but overpriced
Review: I'm a Shotokan Karateka and I have poor flexibility since I can remember. Recently, I began studying this subject, and I now own a few books on stretching. The ideas in this book are very similar to the ones explained on Kurz's "Stretching Scientifically" (both authors are from the former East Block), but the author introduces some fresh ideas wich are really worth reading. Also, some of the exercises are better explained. However, I found the explanation on Isometric Stretching more readable on Kurz's book. Both books have the same problem: few exercises. After a while, you will want to add variety to your workout. Bob Anderson's "Stretching" is quite better in this respect, but lacks the advanced Eastern ideas on this subject. Tsatsouline's book is a bit overpriced. The quality of the images is not so good (it seems they were taken from TV images). But the ideas presented in this book overcome the problem. They are really worth reading. Consider buying the three books I mention in this review. You won't be disapointed.
Rating:
Summary: I you're not training with Pavel, you're wasting your time.
Review: I've tried many other "traditional" stretching programs in the past and none have even come close to producing the kind of results that the exercizes and concepts in Pavel's book have done for me. While the book is a little expensive it's content and fresh approach to the age old problem of increasing flexability make it more of an investment than an expenditure. A definite must-have for both martial artists and serious athletes alike.
Rating: 
Summary: Good information but poorly organized
Review: If you've been following the received Western wisdom about stretching and flexibility (stretch easily and slowly, stretch before strength and technical workouts, etc.), you've been had. You also probably haven't made any progress, because those methods are based on faulty assumptions and are wrong, wrong, wrong. Pavel's book explains the physiology of stretching and tells you why Western methods don't yield results. It covers dynamic, plyometric, and isometric stretching and explains why they are (for most purposes) superior alternatives to the static stretching preached in the West. I'd never seen this information before and it certainly came as a revelation. Before reading it, I had found traditional stretching so fruitless that I'd given up on it altogether. The information here is sound and is presented in a lively, iconoclastic style and has definitely helped me. Unfortunately, though, the book could have used heavier editing. The organization is often confusing, and Pavel sometimes makes a joke where a detailed explanation would be more appropriate. For the same core of information, Tom Kurz's "Stretching Scientifically" (which I found afterwards) is a better place to start. That said, you may still want to pick up Pavel's book -- it has good information scattered throughout, and is genuinely entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Hey I'd love to give this book a better rating, but i cant
Review: Im the goalie for my high school hockey team and flexibility is key for me, so seeing this book I decided what the hell, im sure i'll get some improvement. Unfortunatly I got nothing out of it. I dont know how many times you have to read it before you get what he is talking about. I still dont know how it should feel if i properly do the STI exercises, I mean, he doesnt explain what it feels like when your GTR fires, and even what that means. If its just me thats not getting this, feel free to email me(SoulFly4040@yahoo.com) I'd love to hear from people who know what they're doing as far as this book is concerned. I would recomend this book, but with hesitation. It seemed that all the exercises shown are very common, the only really breakthrough being the STI's, which i dont understand as of now, so if you understand that, this book will be a perfect resource
Rating:
Summary: great
Review: Like his other two books, power to the people, and beyond crunches, this book is the best available of its kind. And really, there is no other language material of this kind available. This is not stretching in the sense that most americans think of it as. It is different- it works,too. His book shows why normal static, relaxed western-style stretching is not effective and is in fact harmful. The things he shows to do increase strength w/o any additional muscle, and make you maximally flexible- not just Soon after you streetch and are stretched out, but for the rest of your life. Forget "warming up" and stretching before an event. also in the book is shown more than just stretching for flexibility.. there are also shown joint mobility exercises and techniques which save your joints and make them lots less painful and less likely to be injured. I get a lot of books from amazon.com and I have never written anything about of them on the reviews, but Tsatsouline's books aren;t just another fitness book but different and can really make a difference in your health.
Rating:
Summary: If you're active, you need this book!
Review: Lots of useful information on improving flexibility and avoiding injury. I like Pavel's no-nonsense writing style. I got immediate benefits from reading it!
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