33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stott Fit and Firm, Feb 17 2006
By CPTScott - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Stott Pilates - Firm and Fit (DVD)
I've been doing Pilates for several months along w/ my daily Yoga practice and it's been an incredible and effective addition to my program!
At this point I have collected about 17 Pilates programs (along w/ my 90 Yoga programs) and there are certain teachers that have shone above the rest. For me Moira Stott is one of those special teachers that has a way of communicating so clearly and putting together such sound practices that I always look forward to spending time with her programs.
I had purchased the four DVD pack w/ "Basics", "Fit and Firm", "Secret to Flat Abs" and "Sculpt and tone", and just this morning did "Fit and Firm" for the first time. For someone brand new to Pilates I HIGHLY recommend the "Basics" DVD, it's the single best beginners DVD/VHS I've worked with since starting Pilates.
As always Moira starts with detailed explanations and warm ups and with the help of a student who demonstrates beautifully, leads you through a wonderful, well paced pilates practice.
This practice basically follows the intermediate Pilates series with some additional advanced poses added in as well. It's about 45 minutes long but flows so beautifully that the time really flies by.
Some people find Moria Stott to be dry or boring, but I find her to be a pleasure to practice with. Perhaps because I'm from a Yoga background (daily for the past nine years) I'm used to teachers who are less "rah rah" (I also don't like blaring music when I'm practicing Yoga or Pilates)so Moira's approach fits me well. If you like teachers who have a more hyper "in your face" personality then this may not be a good fit for you. But if you want a teacher who knows her stuff and who will guide you in a way that is sound and effective then Moira Stott is someone you will truly appreciate on so many levels.
Other teachers whose teaching style I really enjoy are Hilary Burnett (her Intermediate program is incredible) and Jennifer Kries.
I also like Ana Caban and Michelle Dozois for variety in my practice.
Highly recommended!
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a smooth transition from level 1's "The Secret to Flat Abs", Mar 5 2005
By TJ "thephantommoon" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Stott Pilates - Firm and Fit (DVD)
Another excellent Pilates instruction!! Moira truly is the best at instructing you to safely perform the Pilates exercises. I have been doing this DVD for a couple weeks now and it is still a challenge to get through. I still have to do 3 of the exercises how they did it in modified form in the level 1 DVD (I have reviewed that one on Amazon as well :) )but with a little more strengthening of my core I know I will be able to do them the way they are performed on this DVD. Moira again instructs as another is performing the exercises and she doesn't leave you hanging between exercises with idle talk. If you are a beginner definitely start with the level 1 DVD as there is a lot of modified exercises to help you from over-straining your back and neck that will strengthen you and prepare you to be able to do the versions on this DVD. I also love that Moira keeps reminding when to breath in and out during the exercises because it is so important to be breathing properly. Keep up the good work Moira!! I already have the level 3 and 4 and can't wait to be able to say I have completed the whole series!!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Workout, Sep 6 2005
By rosierui - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Stott Pilates - Firm and Fit (DVD)
This dvd provides a good overall pilates workout. Moira provides good detailed instructions. My one complaint would be the camera sometimes would concentrate so much on a specfic body part that you would miss what you should be doing with the rest.