by Alycea Ungaro
The book is well written and easy to understand. Alycea clearly explains the proper technique and form. She explains the 6 principles that everyone should become familiar with. In depth she explains Control, Centering, Concentration, Precision, Breath and Flow of Movement.
The beautiful pictures also demonstrates proper positioning. This will ensure you get the most benefit from your practice.
The book has 4 different 15 minute practices. (the accompanying dvd demonstrates each of these 4 workouts) Each of these practices have clear pictures and each chapter concludes with extras: Checklist (where for example she'll ask questions such as "When curling up, were you able to contract the abdominals fully without allowing any pushing outward?"), Modify/Adjust (here you'll get even more suggestions to modify the poses), Challenge (includes suggestions to make the exercises more difficult as you advance) and Trainer Tips (Alycea provides additional tips to enhance the session). What makes the book even more special is at the end of each of the 4 15 workouts they have included a full color poster that demonstrates the poses in the order suggested. (very nice for when you've mastered the basics and you just need the visual to know what's next)
Day by Day is the first routine you'll learn. This routine can be performed every day if desired. This routine primes you for the other 3. You'll focus on the control and the core. The moves in this session are: Abs wakeup, abdominal curls, the hundred, the roll-down, single leg cirles, rolling preparation, single leg stretch, double leg stretch, spine stretch forward, the swan/neck roll, child's pose/pelvic lift and rolling like a ball.
>From the Top Down will begin to add weights to the routine. (many of the moves are similiar to basic weight lifting moves) You'll learn: front curls, side curls, zip ups, salutes, the boxing, the bug, triceps, baby circles, lunges, side bends, pushups, and the windmill. This routine is upper body focused.
>From the Bottom Up incorporates more lower body training. You'll learn the side kick series which will tighten and tone the entire leg area. The routine includes: Pilates stance 1 & 2, side kicks preparation, side kicks front, side kicks up and down, side kicks circles, side kicks inner thigh lifts, side kicks bicycle, beats on stomach, the teaser, the hug, the mermaid, and arm circles.
Up, Up and Away you'll incorporate standing and twisting. This session contains: neck press/shoulder roll, the hundred, rowing 1, rowing 2, spine twist, the saw, lotus, chest expansion, thigh stretch, footwork 1 & 2, footwork 3/tendon stretch, and front splits/side splits.
Also in the book is several workout schedules to follow based on your goals and time constraints. I thought it was well written and even a newbie to Pilates would benefit from this book.
The accompanying dvd contains each of the 4 practices. Either Alycea or a female assistant guides the viewer through each exercise of all of the 15 minute sessions.
Instructor comments:
www.realpilatesnyc.com
(you can check out a clip of the dvd on youtube)
Denise R
1-13-2008
