PILATES
Return to Life Through Contrology – Joseph Pilates
Essential reading for anyone interested in Pilates. In this small 16 page book, Joseph Pilates details the brea(d)th and power of the Pilates method. The book covers both his philosophy and the technique of the classical exercises. He outlines the effective and enduring approach to whole body health (mind-body) that is now one of the fastest growing fitness programs in the world.
Your Health – Joseph Pilates
In this book, you will learn Joseph Pilates’ fundamental tenets of posture, body mechanics, and correct breathing. You will discover his first teachings about spinal flexibility, physical education, and his law of natural exercises. It is a fascinating look into Pilates’ original thinking and analysis and represents the foundation of an entire discipline embraced by fitness enthusiasts, health educators, and exercise trainers around the world.
A really great book, giving detailed overviews of all of the classical Pilates exercises with Rael’s own twist – Mat, Reformer, Chair, Cadillac and Barrels. A resource for Pilates instructors and practitioners alike. Note though that exercises are based on Pilate’s original classical repertoire. Rael is the founder of BASI Pilates and is a world renowned instructor.
Sport Pilates – Paul Massey
In this definitive guide to sports injuries and their rehabilitation, Olympic Pilates instructor and physiotherapist Paul Massey shows how the majority of sports injuries are preventable or treatable using Pilates. Sport by sport, Paul Massey identifies the most common injuries, revealing how to spot the signs and symptoms of specific problems. Focusing on both prevention and treatment, Massey’s clearly illustrated program of exercises and professional treatment tips shows you how to integrate Pilates into all your sport activities.
OTHER RESOURCES
Anatomy of Movement – Blandaine
A great book to help you understand anatomy and movement. Detailed drawings and explanations of the bones and muscles, detailing the movements available for each and every joint in the body. An extremely useful tool to enhance your understanding of anatomy.
Dynamic Alignment Through Imagery – Eric Franklin
Eric is a movement teacher, and this book gives and overview of how to use imagery to improve your movement. Not just for dancers, everyone can benefit from Eric’s teachings on movement.
Taking Root to Fly – Irene Dowd
This little book, which is a collection of articles about functional anatomy, or in Dowd’s terms the anatomy of movement is a great read and is a must for anyone who teaches alternative mind-body exercise or dance technique, it will give you a new way of thinking. The title “Taking Root to Fly” is an example of the many pithy turns of phrase that make this book so profound. The paradox that a dancer or martial artist who moves as if floating, derives this lightness from sinking into the ground caught in four short words.
Trail Guide to the Body – Andrew Biel
This acclaimed book teaches readers to palpate the body’s structures with ease and precision. The beautifully illustrated, user-friendly guide to the muscular and skeletal systems makes learning the necessary bodywork skills interesting, memorable and easy. With 420 pages and 1,100 illustrations, this 3rd edition covers more than 125 muscles, 206 bones, 30 ligaments and 110 bony landmarks. It provides an invaluable map of the body.