Customer Reviews

Romana Pilates Box Set

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD collection is alright, but I've seen others I like better. I began my teacher training through the Peak Pilates program, and I love the great benefits you can achieve from the method. Videos cannot replace private instruction, but some DVDs are good at explaining and demonstrating Pilates. If you are just beginning Pilates, you might want to try "Pilates for Dummies." This is definitely a good introduction. If you want a wide ranging menu of excellent mat workouts try "Pilates Complete for Everyone." If you want the most traditional Pilates with complete workouts showing basic-advanced workouts try "Classical Pilates."

But isn't Daria Pace, who wrote one of the good reviews, the granddaughter of Romana Kryzanowska and a teacher of Romana's Pilates?

Truly, this DVD series leaves much to be desired. As anyone who bought the full collection knows, the beginning of each DVD is the same. The workouts are flawed in presentation - didn't they rehearse? - and lack the quality of instruction I expected from such a production. Considering that these DVDs feature Romana and some of the best Pilates practitioners in the world, it is a crying shame that they aren't any better than they are, and that Romana's own granddaughter has to deny her heritage to promote them.

I'm the granddaughter of Romana Kryzanowska, and I've been surprised by a few of the not so favorable reviews some folks have issued here. I think this video series is great, if you're a beginner and have not had much exposure to the Pilates method, then this is a great way to start the learning process and have something you can follow at home. From what I can tell, many individuals who possess more experience with Pilates than the average person or are instructors by trade have very lofty expectations and are looking for a video product that will help them learn more advanced exercises or become better Pilates teachers. Simply put, these folks are missing the boat; with the exception of the Mat Challenge Workout video, this series is geared towards beginners or folks who are new to Pilates, not certified instructors or experienced students. As my grandmother tells you at the very begging of each video, this series wasn't designed to replace a private lesson with an instructor, let alone a seminar of any kind. This is because you can't put your hands on someone or adapt to their specific body type or ensure the student is applying the appropriate rhythm and dynamics on tape like you can in person. Also, the vast majority of Pilates exercises should be learned and practiced under the direct supervision of a certified instructor, otherwise individuals can take on unnecessary risk when trying to work out at home. While later videos may focus on more advanced pieces of Pilates equipment and exercises for more experienced Pilates students and teachers, this series does not. My grandmother has always been reserved about providing instruction through video, for one simple reason...SAFETY. As a result, her video series takes into account beginners are most likely to buy and use videos; therefore Safety was the primary driver of the exercises that were selected and taught in the first series. If you're new to Pilates, buy it and begin your Pilates journey in a safe manner, while learning more about Joseph Pilates and Romana Kryzanowska in the documentary; experienced instructors and students get yourselves to the studio and take a lesson with a certified instructor.

I feel that after wasting lots of money on Pilates videos, I finally got what I always wanted. A real workout and real understanding of Pilates. Fantastic!

I began my Stott Pilates training 6 months ago, and someone told me to get this 4 DVD set because it features the well-known Romana Kryzanowska. Since I never studied with Romana, I thought this 4 volume video set would help round out my Pilates training. Although I'm far from being an expert, I couldn't see the importance of this eminent Pilates instructor. There were moments when Romana was teaching, but she didn't teach enough to justify buying this 4 video set.

People say that Romana teaches the classical approach to Pilates. These videos are definitely different than Stott Pilates, but I couldn't comprehend her supposed brilliance. She made me laugh (I used my Powerhouse) a couple of times when she was strict with a demonstrator.

I'm sure that Romana is an excellent instructor, but the video didn't really express the specialness.

this was the best, really took me to new places

For 2 1/2 years after a car accident, I suffered continuing pain. After following this Pilates program, the stretching and strengthening has done wonders in relieving the worst of the pain. I had tried other Pilates tapes but this was the clearest and clearly the best since Romana is the legendary disciple of Joe Pilates. Now I understand why.

I own videos by Lynn Robinson, Mari Winsor, Hilary Burnett, Yvonne Lin, Moira Stott, and Tracy York & Michelle Dozois and books by Ellie Herman (Dummies) and Alan Menezes (The complete guide).

I bought Romana's gift set expecting to get a lot of variety and to learn something new. So I was disappointed that all four started with the same footage (and advertising). They're OK, but they didn't meet my expectations compared to my other videos and books. In addition, I thought that the "Optimum Weight Management" title was misleading.

I agree with the other reviewers' criticism. I teach mat classes through a local adult education agency, and my students often tell me how much they appreciate the constant reminders re: breathing, positioning, NTS, etc. This is another area in which the gift set falls short.

Romana is surely one of the the most artful, colorful, and extraordinarily gifted of Joseph Pilates' students. But these videos don't show the greatness of Mr. Pilates' method, and I don't think Romana Kryzanowska would really approve of these videos herself. Some workouts don't show the correct exercise order, some demonstrators look uncertain and tentative, and Romana's wonderful spark of life is seldom revealed. Also, there is another person who actually does some of the off-screen verbal instruction. There is old film footage of Romana and Joseph Pilates, which is good to see. But, in general, these videos don't live up to Romana's high standards of excellence.

I had never heard of Romana K. before my instructor told me about this well-known student of Joseph Pilates. My instructor studied with Romana for several years in New York City, and was certified by her. So I thought it might be good to buy this 4 video set. It was strange. There were several---actually many--- mistakes and uncertainties that made me believe they were actually rehearsing for a video. Some of the performers visibly caught themselves making mistakes. It was clear the performers did not know the order of some exercise sequences. The only reason I know the right order is because I take lessons.

Romana may be the most revered teacher to study under Joseph Pilates, but these videos don't show it. I was kind of bummed out because I was expecting greatness.