Pilates Beginning Mat Workout: Gaiam: Pilates/Ana Caban: Amazon.ca: Video

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"Remember what Joseph Pilates said," instructor Ana Caban says. "'You will feel better in 10 sessions, look better in 20 sessions, and have a completely new body in 30 sessions.'" Pilates has become very popular and for good reason. By working the core muscles (the abdominal and back muscles in the center of your body) you improve strength and posture and develop a lean, long line.

Certified Pilates instructor Ana Caban is a splendid teacher. First she demonstrates alignment and technique for 10 minutes, explaining the cue words you will hear and how to do the basics, emphasizing how to use the core muscles to strengthen the abdominals and back throughout the workout. Then she introduces a challenging 20-minute series of Pilates moves, instructing clearly, demonstrating beautifully, and continuing to advise you about technique, breathing, and form.

Even though this is a beginning Pilates workout, Pilates is never easy, so these moves will feel extremely difficult if you're new to this kind of exercise. For example, you learn to hold your abs tight whatever move you're doing, and you move only the muscles you're working at the moment, using your stabilizing muscles to hold the rest of the body still (much harder than it sounds!). Another participant demonstrates modifications throughout in case Caban's moves are too difficult or your muscles fatigue. If you've been wanting to explore Pilates and you're willing to put in the effort and concentration, this video gets our top rating. --Joan Price

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Customer Reviews

203 Reviews

5 star:		(93)
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3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(19)
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Average Customer Review

3.8 out of 5 stars (203 customer reviews)

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific beginners Pilates Workout, April 10 2005

By

Lisa Marie Dobbin ((Beautiful) Halifax, Nova Scotia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pilates Beginners Mat Workout (DVD)

For the past 4 months, I have been doing the Pilates for Weight-loss (for Dummies series) which is great,but I decided that I wanted to explore Pilates from the ground up. I picked the Giaam series over the Stott because the instructors used in the Stott ones put me to sleep (they do seem very knowledgeable, however, I need someone to help get me moving at 5:00 in the morning!) Ana Caban is an outstanding, intelligent teacher who not only is great to listen to, but also great to watch. I liked this video because it helps you to start developing the balance and core strength you will need for intermediate moves (like the Giaam Intermediate Mat Workout).

I'm not completely new to fitness - I do other activites, like weights, aerobics, and cardio, but I use this video currently for my less demanding days along with an ab stability ball workout. After a few more weeks (about 2 months in total) I will feel ready to be challenged by the Intermediate, but until then, this will definately help me build the balance and stance skills I need to go further into the pilates program.

I recommend this video to anyone new to pilates. This is the video to start with! I should also say that it took me a long time to take up Pilates because I deemed it ....flakey (there, I said it). I was wrong. I am 5'0 tall, and Pilates difinately changes your body type into a sleek, long dancer like frame (yes, even at my height). To optimize its effectiveness, you should do it 3 times a week, and then do cardio 3 times a week (like Taebo, running or walking) to burn off your body fat. Good luck everyone! lisamariedobbin@eastlink.ca

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars quick review: good teaching, bad production !!, Jan 17 2005

By A Customer

This review is from: Pilates Beginners Mat Workout (DVD)

Ana Caban is a great pilates instructor. Her instruction is easy to follow, and the moves can be modified for beginner to intermediate stages. Simple set designs, fairly mellow tone (with some cheezy guitar music that can easily be ignored).
PROBLEM: the production quality for both the video and dvd are really inconsistent. My copy of the intermediate workout has the picture screen changing colors (green to blue to red to yellow) which is really IRRITATING. Some of the editing can be a little sharper on the beginners video. My dvd has picture problems as well. Some friends who also have this version complain of the same things, while some have ok copies. GAIAM needs to address these issues BEFORE releasing their product on the market. Don't buy until they fix it, you might have trouble returning them.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to Pilates, Mar 22 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Pilates Beginning Mat Workout (VHS Tape)

I had given up on Pilates, based on trying other tapes even though I have a background in ballet(from 30 years ago). But this instructor somehow got me doing the Teaser and other things I never dreamed I could.
It is hard at first, I was breathing hard, and hot but afterwards felt wonderful and energized. In fact don't do this too soon before bed or you'll be too zippy to sleep.
I'm now using the Intermediate tape and again doing stuff I never dreamed of.
A great program.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Really good beginners DVD
There are 2 skill levels presented simultaniously, so you don't have to be able to balance on your tailbone with your feet in the air RIGHT AWAY. Read more

Published on Mar 31 2007 by Amazonaholic

2.0 out of 5 stars Only for complete beginners.
This is a very good starting place for anyone who is an ABSOLUTE beginner. If you have even a bit of coordination or have dabbled in Pilates or Yoga this dvd will be too slow for... Read more

Published on Feb 3 2005 by M.S.