Discovering Pure Classical Pilates: Theory and Practice as Joseph Pilates Intended - The Traditional Method vs. The Lies for Sale

Discovering Pure Classical Pilates: Theory and Practice as Joseph Pilates Intended - The Traditional Method vs. The Lies for Sale
by Peter Fiasca Ph.D.

Discovering Pure Classical Pilates: Theory and Practice as Joseph Pilates Intended - The Traditional Method vs. The Lies for Sale
List Price: $19.95
Our Price: $13.04
You Save: $6.91 (35%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $8.70 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


(Click here)
Buy this book at online book store in your country
Canada | UK | Germany | France

Book Summary Information

Author: Peter Fiasca Ph.D.
Edition: Perfect Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-02-28
ISBN: 0615245625
Number of pages: 196
Publisher: Pure Classical Pilates

Book Reviews of Discovering Pure Classical Pilates: Theory and Practice as Joseph Pilates Intended - The Traditional Method vs. The Lies for Sale

Book Review: A Defense of Classical Pilates
Summary: 5 Stars

Anyone who has viewed Peter Fiasca's Classical Pilates DVDs or attended a training session with him will easily agree on one thing: he is passionate about Classical Pilates and defends it with the ardor of a religious apologist. In that regard, his newly-released book, Discovering Pure Classical Pilates, does not disappoint. And like a religious apologist, he is bound to confront and challenge fundamental beliefs, for if there were no grounds for disagreement, there would be no need for apologetics! He has, in fact, called himself an "apologist for Classical Pilates."

Discovering Pure Classical Pilates is a look into the method's "foundations, goals, movement qualities and benefits" with special attention "given to the ways in which market forces, individual creativity or ambition lead to deterioration and commercialization of the traditional Pilates method."

Fiasca wastes no time in declaring his three key points. In terse, plain-language style, reminiscent of Martin Luther's 95 theses, he declares:

1) There is only one Pure Classical Pilates -- Joseph Pilates' traditional method.

2) There are many derivative approaches incorrectly or falsely called Pilates.

3) "Contemporary Pilates" is a contradiction of terms.


Fiasca assures us that the method Joseph Pilates passed down to the likes of Romana Kryzanowska and Jay Grimes is sufficiently complex and allows for almost infinite modifications and variations to meet the needs of the individual and will reward a lifetime of study. Any change to the system passed down will necessarily dilute it, he says.

Why does he consider Romana Kryzanowska and Jay Grimes the chief "bearers of the flame" of Pilates? Because unlike many of his other protégés, Joe Pilates taught them the full method and they chose to preserve it. Others, he says, either chose to change his method or were trained in the context of their own limitations and special conditions and, therefore, did not learn the whole system as he intended for the normal, healthy body.

However, Discovering Pure Classical Pilates goes beyond the defense of the traditional method, and provides rewarding reading even to those not inclined to consider Fiasca's arguments.

For instance, his explanation of how Pilates relates to Paideia directs the reader to a deeper understanding of the method than considering it as mere physical conditioning. Acknowledging that the widely circulated biographical sketches of Pilates are of questionable origin, he suggests that Pilates' writings parallel the tradition of Paideia, which was the Hellenistic process of educating humans into their true form, their real and genuine human nature. And a consideration of these parallels leads to the conclusion that Joe Pilates intended his method to promote citizenship and productivity in society.

Fiasca also takes on the task of explaining how the Pilates method engages the whole body, mind, and spirit. He shows how Joe Pilates "wanted us to have a more responsive body, a more facile mind, increased vitality, and a greater capacity to cope with problems in everyday living." To facilitate experiencing the mind-body components to the method, he suggests using the seven principles of Pilates as metaphors for living. Slightly modifying the six well-known principles handed down from Friedman and Eisen, Peter has us consider how Centering, Concentration, Control, Correctness, Core Strength, Cardiovascular Conditioning, and Cadence have metaphorical parallels in our daily lives. For example, he would have us ask, "Am I applying the principle of Centering in my daily actions analogous to the ways I achieve centering during a workout?"

As to the spiritual component to the method, he searches for parallels with numerous religious texts that examine the connections between spirituality and the body. Ultimately, though, Fiasca concludes that Pilates himself did not describe his understanding of the spirit; therefore, "in the absence of more specific information from Joseph Pilates himself, Contrology can be construed as a physical ritual and a philosophy of health."

But to get to the bottom line, everyone wants to know, "Is it a good book?" or "Will I like it?" or "Is it worth $20?" And my answer is "it depends."

Taken as a staunch defense of pure Classical Pilates, an adherent of "contemporary Pilates" (remember, a contradiction in terms!) will find Fiasca's three key points to be controversial at the least. But taken as a passionate plea to benefit from the method in the way Joseph Pilates intended it to be, it is a book from which everyone can derive benefit.

The book has already been re-released in a second edition, in which typos were corrected, photos more representative of the Pilates method chosen, and the layout improved.

Summary of Discovering Pure Classical Pilates: Theory and Practice as Joseph Pilates Intended - The Traditional Method vs. The Lies for Sale

Discovering Pure Classical Pilates looks deeply into Joseph Pilates' traditional method of mental and physical conditioning by describing its foundations, goals, movement qualities and benefits. Specific attention is given to the ways in which market forces, individual creativity or ambition lead to deterioration and commercialization of the traditional Pilates method. We harken back in time to Joseph Pilates' own two books Your Health (1934) and Return to Life Through Contrology (1945) by exploring social, economic, psychological and spiritual issues associated with his traditional work.

Pilates Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Pilates Books
Pilates Protocols ImagePilates Protocols
by PhysicalMind Institute
Physical Mind Institute; PhysicalMind Institute; Published: 2005-07-01; Spiral-bound; Book
Best price: $60.00
Pilates for a Beautiful Body and Better Sex ImagePilates for a Beautiful Body and Better Sex
The Dezac Group Ltd; Published: 2004-06; Paperback; Book
Secrets of Pilates ImageSecrets of Pilates
by Sally Searle, Cathy Meeus, Cathy Meeus, Sally Searle
DK ADULT; Published: 2001-11-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.98
Price in other shops: $10.00
Powers Pilates: Stefanie Powers' Guide to Longevity and Well-being Through Pilates ImagePowers Pilates: Stefanie Powers' Guide to Longevity and Well-being Through Pilates
by Stefanie Powers
Fireside; Published: 2005-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.79
Price in other shops: $16.00
The elenpilatesTM Stockpile Textbook: Connecting Joe Pilates' exercises between technique and practice ImageThe elenpilatesTM Stockpile Textbook: Connecting Joe Pilates' exercises between technique and practice
by Elaine Dutton
iUniverse, Inc.; Published: 2004-05-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $16.75
Price in other shops: $17.95
Pontius Pilate ImagePontius Pilate
by Ann Wroe
Random House; Published: 2000-04-04; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $2.93
Price in other shops: $26.95
The BalleCore® Workout: Integrating Pilates, Hatha Yoga, and Ballet in an Innovative Exercise Routine for All Fitness Levels ImageThe BalleCoreŽ Workout: Integrating Pilates, Hatha Yoga, and Ballet in an Innovative Exercise Routine for All Fitness Levels
by Molly Weeks
Ballantine Books; Published: 2005-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.72
Price in other shops: $17.95
The Complete Classic Pilates Method: Centre Yourself with this Step-by-Step Approach to Joseph Pilates' Original Matwork Programme ImageThe Complete Classic Pilates Method: Centre Yourself with this Step-by-Step Approach to Joseph Pilates' Original Matwork Programme
by Miranda Bass
Macmillan UK; Published: 2007-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $119.74
Through the Day With Pilates: The Morning Energise (Pilates Through the Day) ImageThrough the Day With Pilates: The Morning Energise (Pilates Through the Day)
by Lynne Robinson
Pan Macmillan; Published: 1999-01; Paperback; Book
Price in other shops: $4.95
Pilates for Pregnancy ImagePilates for Pregnancy
by Lesley Ackland
HarperCollins; Paperback; Book
Similar Books and other products
Your Health: A Corrective System of Exercising that Revolutionizes the Entire Field of Physical Education ImageYour Health: A Corrective System of Exercising that Revolutionizes the Entire Field of Physical Education
by Joseph H. Pilates
Presentation Dynamics; Published: 1998-12-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.54
Price in other shops: $19.95
Pilates ImagePilates
by Rael Isacowitz
Human Kinetics; Published: 2006-08-11; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops: $19.95
Classical Pilates Technique: Magic Circle Mat Series & Reformer Mat Workout ImageClassical Pilates Technique: Magic Circle Mat Series & Reformer Mat Workout
Bayview; Release date: 2003-11-19; DVD
Best price: $10.52
Price in other shops: $19.95
Pilates' Return to Life Through Contrology ImagePilates' Return to Life Through Contrology
by Joseph H. Pilates, William Miller
Presentation Dynamics; Published: 1998-12-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $18.53
Price in other shops: $29.95
Teaching pilates for postural faults, illness and injury: a practical guide, 1e ImageTeaching pilates for postural faults, illness and injury: a practical guide, 1e
by Jane Paterson RGN Adult Education Teacher Pilates Teacher and Teacher Trainer trained classical dancer
Butterworth-Heinemann; Published: 2008-12-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $26.22
Price in other shops: $43.95
Classical Pilates Technique: The Studio Equipment Series (Two-Disc Edition) ImageClassical Pilates Technique: The Studio Equipment Series (Two-Disc Edition)
Release date: 2003-06-02; DVD
Best price: $16.87
Price in other shops: $29.99
A Pilates' Primer : The Millennium Edition ImageA Pilates' Primer : The Millennium Edition
by Joseph Pilates, Judd Robbins
Presentation Dynamics; Published: 2000-02-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.64
Price in other shops: $15.95
Pilates Anatomy ImagePilates Anatomy
by Rael Isacowitz, Karen Clippinger
Human Kinetics; Human Kinetics; Published: 2011-03-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.69
Price in other shops: $19.95
Classical Pilates Technique: The Complete Universal Reformer Series + Archival English & Spanish (2 DVD Set: Introductory Basic; Basic; Intermediate; Advanced; Super Advanced; Archival) ImageClassical Pilates Technique: The Complete Universal Reformer Series + Archival English & Spanish (2 DVD Set: Introductory Basic; Basic; Intermediate; Advanced; Super Advanced; Archival)
DVD
Best price: $16.72
Price in other shops: $29.99
Classical Pilates Technique: The Complete Mat Workout Series ImageClassical Pilates Technique: The Complete Mat Workout Series
Release date: 2002-06-19; DVD
Best price: $10.51
Price in other shops: $19.95
Book store. Illustrated catalog of books on different categories