Rating: Summary: Fantastc Stuff Review: I really enjoy the Pilates class at my gym. My instructor sometimes teaches with a magic circle to liven things up. Pilates is a good complement to my cardio workouts and weight trainng. But I'm so busy sometimes that I wish I could workout at home. So I decided to get this DVD. The instruction is great, and the demonstrators are so good it's scary---scary in a good way. I could tell these guys take their work seriously.This DVD has basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. Afterward, there is a beautiful creature showing something called "Reformer on the Mat Workout." It's fantastic to watch! And I've incorporated some of these exercises into my mat routine. I'm really happy with this DVD!
Rating: Summary: Fantastc Stuff Review: I really enjoy the Pilates class at my gym. My instructor sometimes teaches with a magic circle to liven things up. Pilates is a good complement to my cardio workouts and weight trainng. But I'm so busy sometimes that I wish I could workout at home. So I decided to get this DVD. The instruction is great, and the demonstrators are so good it's scary---scary in a good way. I could tell these guys take their work seriously. This DVD has basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. Afterward, there is a beautiful creature showing something called "Reformer on the Mat Workout." It's fantastic to watch! And I've incorporated some of these exercises into my mat routine. I'm really happy with this DVD!
Rating: Summary: It's Really Good & Good For You Review: I was interested in finding a new DVD to satisfy my thirst for learning new Pilates exercises. This is it. Using the "magic" ring (kinda looks like a "thigh master") or magic circle, I saw new really good moves for the regular Pilates mat routine. The people on the video make it look natural and easy, but it isn't. You have to practice and it feels good to practice because the video is actually interesting to watch. I'm having fun and feel a lot better in general. My friends and family definitely notice.
Rating: Summary: I Love This DVD Review: I was so glad to discover Classical Pilates made a magic circle mat DVD. After watching their "Studio Equipment Series," which has magic circle exercises in many sitting and standing positions, it's a pleasure to use the magic circle with Pilates mat workouts. I didn't even know you could do this before I bought this DVD. I enjoy taking Pilates lessons at a local studio, and these videos help me get the best results from my exercise time.
Rating: Summary: I Love This DVD Review: I was so glad to discover Classical Pilates made a magic circle mat DVD. After watching their "Studio Equipment Series," which has magic circle exercises in many sitting and standing positions, it's a pleasure to use the magic circle with Pilates mat workouts. I didn't even know you could do this before I bought this DVD. I enjoy taking Pilates lessons at a local studio, and these videos help me get the best results from my exercise time.
Rating: Summary: A power workout for your Powerhouse! Review: If you are cruising Amazon looking for a truly challenging Pilates workout, then stop. This super advanced Reformer on the Mat is it. I consider myself to be experienced, and I take an advanced mat class every week. Variations on two of the exercises in this workout, Footwork and Tree, are actually included in my class. However, try to imagine doing Stomach Massage or Horseback or Knee Stretches on the Mat! It is a power workout for your Powerhouse! Some of the exercises are similar to the regular mat work, so you can see how the method relates exercises on the Mat to exercises on the Reformer. If you are feeling at all jaded by your current mat work, just watch this Reformer on the Mat. It will re-awaken your core and inspire you to explore the vastness of the Pilates method.
Rating: Summary: In A Class of Its Own Review: Since I'm a Pilates fan, I have purchased many DVDs to practice the method. There are a few other videos that show magic circle, but they're way NOT like this DVD. Classical Pilates shows good fundamentals of using the magic circle, and then they demonstrate a solid beginning workout. After that, they take you into a realm where only the most highly trained classical instructors can demonstrate effectively: a beautiful intermediate level and an advanced level that is superbly executed. As if all of these workouts were not enough, there is something called the Reformer Mat workout. I had never heard of this before. If you go on vacation and don't have your Reformer with you, you can practice all the Reformer exercises on the Mat! This workout is a sight to behold. The woman who performs this workout is so beautiful, strong, and pleasant in her demeanor, that she makes Pilates look like a sheer joy to do! I have been telling all my friends and family about this DVD because it adds new interesting dimensions to regular Pilates mat exercises. If you get this DVD, you will want to tell your friends! One last thing: the man that narrates the workouts coaches you with this really cool accent. I don't know where he is from, but his words and voice make me understand the Pilates exercises in ways I never dreamed of before. His voice lulls me into deeper wisdom about the Pilates method every time I listen to the DVD.
Rating: Summary: It's Good For The Body Review: That's what Joseph Pilates used to say about his method of exercise: "It's good for the body." I'm a teacher and I was looking for some new material to teach my students. Since Classical Pilates has a great reputation, I tried this DVD and was seriously impressed. All the workouts are traditional and the magic circle adds a new feeling to each exercise. By new feeling I mean you can really feel your muscles working from the Powerhouse. This is good because even teachers accidentally cheat sometimes (without realizing it) when they workout sing more arm and leg strength, instead of the Powerhouse.
If you want the traditional series of Pilates workouts with the magic circle, I definitely recommend this video.
Rating: Summary: The Magic Circle is a Blast! Review: The magic circle makes Pilates mat exercises fun! I love Pilates but lessons are expensive, so I can't take them regulary. With this DVD you can save a lot of $$$$ in lesson fees, but be aware that using the magic circle looks deceptively easy! The demonstrators are clear and straight forward, so I thought that's fairly easy. Well, it's not! It takes concentration and coordination, two very good things that apply in many other parts of life. But the fact is that everyone can use the magic circle with Pilates mat exercises. The magic circle makes me feel my muscles more in the center of my body, the area that Pilates people call the Powerhouse. And you must keep your mind focused and completely 'present.' You don't have time to think about anything else, which is good! In this multitasking world, it feels like such a rare and satisfying experience just to be completely involved in what you are doing in the moment. And time flys right by! Woooosh! You're done! And you had fun! There's also an extraordinary workout at the end of this DVD called the Reformer Mat Workout. This workout seems to be the final frontier of Pilates mat exercise routines. It is a awesome challenge for the mind and body, and I will be working on it for many years to come.
Rating: Summary: A great pilates dvd but definitely not for beginners Review: The magic circle most definitely adds a different dimension to basic pilates exercises and really helps me focus on my powerhouse. However, if you are new to pilates, this should NOT be the first dvd you buy. I would recommend Pilates for Dummies first and once you master the basic pilates moves, then go on to the Classical Pilates with the magic circle dvd. The reason is that this dvd moves really REALLY fast and there are virtually no instruction on how to do the moves. Once you have master the basic pilates moves, then this dvd is great because you get a fantastic workout and the magic circle really makes it more of a challenge. I didn't even attempt to try the super advanced reformer mat exercise that comes with the DVD. However, I hope someday I will!
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