Pilates Anatomy

by Rael Isacowitz, Karen Sue Clippinger

Take a detailed look at your Pilates practice with the superbly illustrated exercises in Pilates Anatomy, Second Edition.

Choose from 46 exercises to target a particular body region and delve deeper to stretch, strengthen, and finely coordinate specific muscles. See which key muscles are activated, how variations and minor adjustments can influence effectiveness, and how breathing, alignment, and movement are all fundamentally linked as you work to tone the body, stabilize the core, improve balance, and increase flexibility.

Use the Personalize Your Practice section for each exercise to vary your practice and customize your workouts to fit your needs. Here you’ll find modifications to make each exercise more accessible when there are limitations such as tight hamstrings or underdeveloped core strength. Variations provide variety, and progressions are offered to add more challenge to each exercise and serve as valuable stepping stones on your journey to more advanced Pilates exercise.

Also included are techniques for breathing, concentration, and self-awareness, providing a unique exercise experience that enhances your body and your mind.

Whether you are just beginning to explore the beauty and benefits of Pilates or have been practicing for years, Pilates Anatomy is a one-of-a-kind resource that you’ll refer to again and again.

CE exam available! For certified professionals, a companion continuing education exam can be completed after reading this book. Pilates Anatomy, Second Edition Online CE Exam, may be purchased separately or as part of the Pilates Anatomy, Second Edition With CE Exam, package that includes both the book and the exam.

Genres: Health, Fitness, Nonfiction, Sports, Reference, Self Help, Bodies

486 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2011

Reviews

[Paul Pryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been attending Pilates for about three years and this book has been a great insight, showing what primary and secondary muscle groups are being exercised, and also the start middle and final positions plus what breathing you should be doing.
The early sections are pretty deep and I did find them quite hard to penetrate - maybe this section is for the professional instructor. Great illustrations and part of a great series.

[Kerith Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not recommend more for anyone seeking to teach or better understand mat Pilates. LOVED the personalize your practice spaces

[db67671321]

textbook that helps understand the muscles for pilates. I got the second edition. Unfortunately it does not illustrate reformers or any of the other tools.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Particularly helpful to see the small form notes and illustrations. Like it's Yoga counterpart, this book is a great resource.

[⋆˙⟡ Samantha Piscoya ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rael Isacowitz created an amazing book for understanding the "why" behind Pilates. What I appreciated most is how the book (I had the second edition) bridges anatomy and application. It doesn't just list muscles; it explains how they function as movers, stabilizers, and synergists within real Pilates exercises (with great illustrations for each one). The chapters move from foundational principles (breath, control, precision) to spinal articulation, abdominal work, side bending, extension, and programming in the last chapter.

It’s definitely not a quick or casual read. It’s dense and meant to be studied. I owned the physical copy, but having the pdf version as well was really helpful for quickly searching terms or pulling images into my notes. If you’re willing to take your time with it, the payoff is absolutely worth it. I highly recommend it for Pilates instructors, those in teacher training, or anyone who wants to move with more intention and anatomical awareness.

I also realized toward the end that the book offers continuing education credits through a CE exam, and I definitely took advantage of that.

I took extensive notes while reading and organized them by chapter for my own teaching reference. Sharing them here in case they're helpful to anyone else:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17...

[Francine Apollo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are super and the narrative is understandable for a novice. Like Yoga Anatomy, this book is for the student as well as the practitioner.
I'll be going over this book time and time again. I am reading for particular concerns I have for myself and found it very helpful.

Highly recommended.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pilates Anatomy by Rael Isacowitz, Karen Sue Clippinger.
I did feel this book was helpful and easy to read. It will be something that I will keep using and referring back to keep me in line. Overall a good book.

[Kim Cataldo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has helped me so much in my personal practice and developing as a teacher.

[Lucas Boyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I thought. Very good descriptions of the basics though!

[Steven Tryon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first several chapters for background. Now it goes on the reference shelf. I found it helpful but not outstanding. I can see where it would be useful for advanced instructor training.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended from Pilates instructors I know, and it was really informative. It’s great to get into the details of WHY we do certain movements.

[Deepali Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely explained , with all the muscles used, modification s ...

[Marie Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough

[Maggie Sieleman-Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niche? Yes. A fascinating and informative book about one of my life’s great loves? Also yes. 💕

[Ester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bästa detaljerade guiden till Pilates. Bilder och tydliga beskrivningar samt förklaringar. Anpassningar efter nybörjare och avancerade nivå. Träningsprogram för tre olika nivåer. Välarbetad bok.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's most certainly an anatomy book, but provides helpful tips and cues for fundamental, intermediate, and advanced pilates moves.

[Charlie Fla'Herty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reference material, a standard for many teacher trainings.

[Heather Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from the library, and after several holds, it was finally my time to have it. Turns out that I picked it up on the 6 month anniversary of my first Pilates lesson lesson. Great timing, huh? :)

Going in, I expected it to be mostly just the illustrations of the exercises, which is exactly what I had been looking for, because I had wanted to try connecting what I feel during my lessons and movement with the actual muscles that are involved. To be honest, I was not expecting a crash course in anatomy in the first few chapters. Know what though? I enjoyed it! I’m not gonna lie and say that I understand everything that I read in the book but, I did pick up more than I expected to. I picked up what I could comfortably carry, and left the rest. And, like... there’s no test at the end. There’s no need for me to study it to learn everything that was laid out.

I definitely enjoyed getting a better understanding of movement and how it applies to the exercises that I’ve been doing with my instructor. For example, I have connected that the 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock positions are anterior and posterior pelvic tilts (respectively), and that my side leg lifts from my standing program is dorsiflexion with abduction and adduction from hip flexors. The rotated side leg lifts are the same, plus external hip rotation. Anyway, I do find it interesting.

I’m quite surprised at how much I have picked up by just reading the book. I’m not at the point where I can do all of the exercises but, it is ok...I have my wonderful instructor to guide me. I did actually just buy a copy of this book as a reference for the exercises as we progress further. It’s the second edition vs the first which is the one I had from the library. Parts are definitely still a bit overwhelming and intense, especially all the muscles, though if you are interested in upping your Pilates game and learning more about the movement fundamentals behind the exercises then I think it’s a great book to read. Just try to not get too caught up in it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent drawings to aid the concise descriptions through the various movements.
Only mat exercises are included though. Now hunting for possibly a ballet instruction book? I need to stand while stretching unless the exercise may be done while on my inversion table...?

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Rael! Great illustrations and descriptions of each pilates exercise with descriptions and visual cues. and I find myself referring to this book very often. Valuable reference book.

[Cloay · Rating 4 out of 5]

- available in SG NLB 613.7192 (Sengkang)

[April Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

love the class but the book is awful.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent pictures of pilates mat work exercises. Descriptions are very helpful for beginners.

[Lauren Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use the workouts from this book every single day, for myself and for my swimmers, and they have been invaluable in giving us core strength and increased flexibility.

[Kdaca]

Almost always in use

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was actually pretty happy that I read it. I take pilates classes so I don't need this for myself but it discussed some modifications and other information that I wouldn't have known otherwise.

[Teresa]

The b

[Joan54 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to read again