ONE OF THE ORIGINAL PILATES BOOKS
The "Complete Guide to the Pilates Method" by Allan Menezes was first published in 1999 as one of the first books ever written on the method.
It soon became an instructor's manual around the world, being used as a training manual for teachers by the Institute for the Pilates Method USA (now PhysicalMind Institute) and the Pilates Institute UK.
It is still the most comprehensive theory book ( 4 chapters) available.
All aspects of the theory with new additions are available here (See Menezes Pilates Ultimate Theory Guide)
Allan Menezes
Pioneer of the Pilates and Gyrotonic Methods
in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere
1981-1984 Trained with Alan Herdman (pioneer of Pilates in Europe)
1986 Established Australia's first fully equipped Pilates Studio in Sydney
1988 Commenced Pilates training courses with 5 Videos and 12 manuals
1992 on the Education Committee of the Institute for the Pilates Method (USA) the world's first Pilates Teacher Training organisation
1996 Established the Pilates Institute of Australasia for better teacher training courses
1999 published worldwide best-seller, "The Complete Guide to the Pilates Method"
2000 Produced 5 Pilates videos
2003 Produced 13 Pilates DVDs translated into several languages
2004 "Complete Guide to the Teachings of Joseph H. Pilates Method of Body Conditioning" published in the USA
2006 "Complete Guide" published in Spanish
2000 onwards: Travelled internationally to train instructors and present workshops
allan's favourite quote
To be terrific - be specific (R)
either as an instructor or as a pilates fan.
whether doing, or teaching, the exercises.
WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK
'There was a dire need for specific Pilates Training for the huge surge in Pilates instructors worldwide at the and of the 1990s.
When I was trained in the method in the early 1980s, my instructors had very little anatomy knowledge. They came from a ballet background. I was one of the first Pilates instructors that came from an athletic background - and with a serious back injury as well!
So I did a massage course to learn my anatomy. The best thing I ever did as I could also then 'treat' clients on the go, during their routines in the studio, with minor manipulations so theY could immediately continue the exercises with more confidence.
As my business in Sydney expanded to 3 studios, my staff needed training manuals in all mat and equipment routines. So I then realised, from client feedback, that the general public needed a book on the method for those who could not afford nor access studio classes.
At the time there were only 2 other books in the world on the Pilates Method; the "Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning" by Friedman and Eisen (1984) and one out of England in 1998.
Because of the detailed content of the "Complete Guide" - extensive theory and specific description of the exercises - it became a teacher training manual for the Institute for the Pilates Method (USA), the first organisation to establish training for the Pilates Industry (yes, it was now an Industry), and for the Pilates Institute UK (no connection with Pilates Institute of Australasia, which I established in 1996 to further Pilates training). It was also designated as the Pilates training book for the BA Osteopathy degree at the University of Western Sydney.
The book was soon taken up by publishers on the USA in 2000 with a second edition and a Spanish edition in 2004.
The "Complete Guide" has been used by many to become Pilates instructors worldwide.'
TESTIMONIALS
from verified amazon purchasers
Eqwks
5.0 out of 5 stars - One of the best Pilates books that I own...
One of the best Pilates books that I own. I have been teaching Pilates since 2001 and always find myself looking back to this book for ideas. Gives clear cut description of exercises, breathing and technique. The best pro of this book is how it has separate sections for back, abs, legs so if you are looking for a specific area of your body to target you can find a section on it. Highly recommend to anyone looking to learn Pilates.
Dr. Beth
4.0 out of 5 stars - Provides a unique perspective on the Pilates method
This book provides a unique perspective on the Pilates method in that it was written by an athlete and focuses on athletes in particular. It includes more detailed information on general fitness physiology than I have seen in any other Pilates book and makes this information accessible through easy-to-understand illustrations. There is a particular emphasis on posture and alignment issues with plenty of descriptive information about these concepts. I particularly liked the author's use of the "B-Line": instead of imagining pulling your navel to your spine, he encourages you to focus on a spot a few inches below your navel and to concentrate on flattening this entire lower ab area.
D. Holding
4.0 out of 5 stars - Attention to detail.
I work in heavy industry, and have maintained poor posture since my early teens. As such, I suffer from intermittent lower and mid back pain and stiffness. I've heard a lot about Pilates, and when a work mate who had suffered a spinal injury told me that he had started it as a part of his rehabilitation, I thought I'd look into it. There were a number of titles at the bookshop, and this one stood out, as it was the only one that had simple black and white photos and hand drawn diagrams. I've learned the hard way not to judge a book by its cover, and such was the case here, as further examination showed that this was a serious, in-depth manual, not a glossy "pop-Pilates" coffee table book. It's value lies in the attention to detail and information given for each individual exercise. And that, after all, is what such a book should be about. It can be a lot of reading at times, but then, there are no "quick and easy" short-cuts to health and fitness.
Pilates aficionado
5.0 out of 5 stars - This book gets better and better!
Having read the first edition I was keen to see what the second edition had in store. I was not disappointed. Menezes is adept at finding new ways of improving his 'old' methods, even though those were a new way of thinking for the pilates industry. The Stamina Stretch I found incredible to understate the obvious! It improved my breathing capacity by 30% in just 2 minutes! His wording of the exercises has changed significantly to make them more effective. Now I understand why the emphasis he places on starting the breath first gives more core control to stabilize you before the rest of the exercise.
K. Preveza
5.0 out of 5 stars - A Very Comprehensive Book for Mat Work
From: Pilates Fitness Journal Review August 2003 [...]
This is a very comprehensive book. It covers around 200 Pilates exercises. The introductory chapters are inspiring especially for anyone who experiences pain. Allen Menezes, the author, experienced a great deal of pain himself and seems to truly understand how to help people work with and through their pain.
The introduction helps with an understanding of the method behind the movements and the concluding chapters actually offer some information that is a must and probably should be in the introduction instead of the end of the book. This information is included in chapter twelve: " Move Yourself out of Pain." It goes over various types of possible problems - hip, back, shoulders, feet, knee, etc. Other pertinent information at the end of the book is the exercise charts. These give the reader a better sense of how to design a program, with suggestions for choosing exercises and the order. The basic routine may be a little difficult for the beginner. The warm-ups and exercises for low back pain and weak abdominals would be a good start.
Some of the many quotes created by Allan Menezes to encourage better teaching of the method and to obtain RESULTS from the workouts.
(R) Registered Trademark tm Trademark
"TO BE TERRIFIC - BE SPECIFIC" (R)
"IF YOU'RE NOT TONING IT, YOU'RE FLABBING IT" tm
"KISAS- KEEP IT SHORT AND SPECIFIC" (R)
"ALWAYS WORK THE MUSCLE CLOSEST TO THE ROTATING JOINT OR FULCRUM" tm
"THE BREATHING MAKES THE EXERCISE" (tm)
"WHERE THE NOSE GOES, THE BODY FOLLOWS" tm
MY PERSONAL GUARANTEE TO YOU...
My guarantee to you is that when implemented and these routines become habits, they will make a difference in your life. I know when you take action, you’ll get results.
These are the same principles I have followed day in and day out for the last 40+ years. They have enabled me to contribute to my clients, and the worlwide Pilates community, with constant assessment, analysis and application to create a more biomechanical version of the method with one aim in mind - RESULTS!
CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW TO GET YOUR COPY NOW. YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU DID.
Download immediately to your mobile phone or laptop