Customer Reviews

Classical Pilates Technique - The Complete Mat Workout Series English & Spanish (Modified Basic / Basic / Intermediate / Advanced / Super Advanced)

5 star:		(96)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

In addition to physical therapy, Pilates lessons and this video helped me recover from a back injury that stopped me in my tracks. Sometimes I lift heavy boxes as part of my job. One day I wasn't paying close attention. All of a sudden I felt a snap in my lower back. I could hardly stand upright; it hurt to stand up, sit down, even roll over in bed when I was sleeping. I couldn't exercise for several weeks.

Anyway, my PT said I should take Pilates. I was willing to try anything to help my aching back. This video starts off slowly, which was really important. After practicing the pre-basic workout for several weeks, I went on to the full basic workout. This was invigorating and it moves quickly. Now I'm practicing intermediate.

All in all, this video has helped me fully recover. I recommend this product to my friends and work associates. Thank you for making this video!

I have been studying and practicing the Pilates method now for over six months. I've really enjoyed the instruction I've received from other videos, but wanted something to aspire to--and this is it.

In reading some of the other reviews, yes, this DVD does have a fast pace; however, the goal of the Pilates method is for the entire matwork routine to be performed smoothly and with a great sense of flow and rhythm--not as a collection of separate, start-and-stop exercises.

I appreciate that the atmosphere of the workout is not hyped-up, with pounding dance-mix music or a super-perky instructor. The emphasis is only on what's at hand--the workout. I also enjoy the voiced-over instruction as opposed to receiving it from the person who is also demonstrating the movements. The speaker addresses you as though he were in the room with you, checking your form. In this way, it feels very personalized to me.

If you are an absolute beginner, I would suggest that you watch the various levels of the matwork first. Watch it a couple of times, even, maybe trying a couple of the exercises as practice on your own. Once you have the general idea of what the different movements are, then proceed to work with the DVD on your pace and fluidity.

If you already have a foundation in the principles of this exercise method, then this is the DVD to buy to further your ability. It's not watered down, slowed down, or commercialized; it's just Pilates the way Joseph Pilates created it. I myself can't wait to continue working with this DVD to improve my technique and my strength--it's really given me something to shoot for.

I have had the privilege of studying with Carola Trier (in the 1950s) and Romana Kryzanowska (in the 1970s) and Kathy Grant (in the 1980s). These are 1st generation master instructors of the highest caliber. So, I have some experience learning from the best of Joseph Pilates original students who carried his method forward.

In this modern world, it honestly hurts my soul to see Pilates move so far away from its original roots in Joseph Pilates' NYC studio. Yet, I feel this video captures the essence of the original Pilates method.

I was, of course, skeptical when someone suggested buying this video. But I have to say this DVD is a nice surprise. I take it on vacation to the beach, and to the mountains when I travel. Watching this video brings back many memories of taking lessons with Joseph Pilates' brilliant and trusted teachers.

Joseph Pilates said he was 50 years ahead of his time. He was correct. I assume he would be happy about how many people are practicing his method, but I am sure Joseph Pilates would be saddened by all the variations that exist today.

I am certainly happy that Classical Pilates has preserved the wonderful tradition in the way Joseph Pilates meant it to be. You can't recreate the wheel, and Classical Pilates does NOT even try to recreate it. They just do the method justice by doing it well.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents with the rest of us who love the Pilates method.

The guiding ideas of this program seem to be: It's a workout. Do it well. Look good!

I play tennis, ski, and surf. I just enjoy being physically active, and I like to practice sports that involve discipline and skill. The same applies to body conditioning. Pilates is not easy. It demands concentration, strength, and creativity to do it well. I appreciate this DVD isn't a watered-down version of Pilates that underestimates my ability. So I'm learning, having fun, and staying in good shape.

I'm in high school and have read lots of magazines about Pilates. I tried a class at the gym, but I wanted to do some video 'research.' After reading a lot of reviews, I bought this one. This DVD is fairly low budget when it comes to the sets and atmosphere, but it's definitely traditional and I get a really good workout. Since I play basketball and swim on the team, I'm used to many hours of practice. This video is real and the people who made it are real. You can tell the demonstrators are professional athletes. They show Pilates and describe Pilates in a way that you can learn it right from the beginning, and do it right to the end.

This Pilates DVD is straight forward, no-nonsense, and has a dude demonstrating Pilates workouts with serious strength and coordination. This is good because I lift weights, run, and I'm into sports. It's the only DVD cover that showed a guy doing Pilates. More men should try Pilates. It's challenging and takes a lot of stamina.

As it is my first and only pilates DVD, I have to say it is a great program. My abs were completely gone after I had my daughter 6 months ago. I gradually moved up from basic to intermediate workout in 1 month. Although I still can't do some movements as good as before having the baby, the fast result courages me a lot. If you can only spare 10 to 15 minutes everyday, try this one--effective and time saving.

I have ordered this DVD a fey days ago, and I recieved it!

However, I couldn't play it until now. I had tried some DVD players which could play VOB DVD files, but in vain.

I wonder the way to play it on PC, or whether the DVD disc itself has some error!

Like many others, I really think this DVD is good. I have a portable DVD player that I take with me on summer vacations, and when I travel for work. It's cool because this video has a guy doing Pilates. There are two excellent women demonstrating as well.

I usually practice the intermediate workout series because it's challenging, but not too difficult. Even though the woman who demonstrates is flawless, I don't get discouraged. She makes Pilates exercises look beautiful and graceful. Exercising becomes more interesting when you feel attractive doing it. If you feel attractive working out, then you feel better about yourself through the rest of the day.

This video has also helped me get in shape for the summer bathing suit season. People notice. In a good way! So, I'm happy and healthy. Who can ask for more than that?

Aside from the many different levels available to you -- from modified basic to super advanced -- the pace of the video is specifically designed for repeated use. The first few times may seem rushed, but this is so that later on, when you have gotten the hang of the moves, you don't feel like your life is wasting away as you wait for the next move to begin.

The only complaint I have is that the tape has no soul. There isn't somebody you can really relate to on the tape. The people performing the moves do them very mechanically -- perfectly too. The voice-over sounds like a robot. Realize that this is a very technical tape, which works for some people. If you have a strong objection to following automatons, do not buy this tape. If following the precise directions for each move is most important to you, this tape is for you.