Rating: 
Summary: It IS perfect!
Review: I read lots of reviews and descriptions of this tape before I committed to purchasing it. I was so excited when it finally arrived, and what a great workout it delivered. I watched most of it before I started so I could get an idea of what was involved, and that helped (although I am so uncoordinated I still don't have the middle segment down yet). The first section is a classic Pilates routine with some yoga interspersed in the middle. Yes, you feel it in your abs right when she says your going to. I like that she shows modifications but also encourages you to challenge yourself. I probably benefited from learning first with the Ana Caban tapes, but I was able to keep up and try some new things. I think Jennifer's roll-up variation with the feet flexed is more challenging that with the toes pointed, but I'm going to play around and see which feels best. The neck pull was a surprise, but I was glad she had some different exercises in there. The Metabolic Booster section was my favorite. When I first watched it I thought "Oh, this will be fine- will it get my heart rate up enough?" Well, yes it did! The moves are so pretty and graceful (although of course I'm still learning to get all of the steps down) that you don't really you're working your butt- or should I say glutes?- off. Again, when she says you should feel this in your glutes, you will. I love this part! The Rejuvenation section was a great way to end the workout. I don't know if it's Jennifer's extra dose of inspiration or if the other two workouts just loosened me up, but I definitely felt my hamstrings loosen up. For me, that's huge. I'm pretty flexible (except for the hamstrings) and I've been doing yoga for a while, so I didn't need most of the modifications she introduced, but they didn't bother me, either. Again, this is a great workout- I recommend it to anyone who wants a total body workout but wants a softer (though not slower) pace. Perfect!
Rating:
Summary: It IS perfect!
Review: [....] what a great workout it delivered. I watched most of it before I started so I could get an idea of what was involved, and that helped (although I am so uncoordinated I still don't have the middle segment down yet). The first section is a classic Pilates routine with some yoga interspersed in the middle. Yes, you feel it in your abs right when she says your going to. I like that she shows modifications but also encourages you to challenge yourself. I probably benefited from learning first with the Ana Caban tapes, but I was able to keep up and try some new things. I think Jennifer's roll-up variation with the feet flexed is more challenging that with the toes pointed, but I'm going to play around and see which feels best. The neck pull was a surprise, but I was glad she had some different exercises in there. The Metabolic Booster section was my favorite. When I first watched it I thought "Oh, this will be fine- will it get my heart rate up enough?" Well, yes it did! The moves are so pretty and graceful (although of course I'm still learning to get all of the steps down) that you don't really you're working your butt- or should I say glutes?- off. Again, when she says you should feel this in your glutes, you will. I love this part! The Rejuvenation section was a great way to end the workout. I don't know if it's Jennifer's extra dose of inspiration or if the other two workouts just loosened me up, but I definitely felt my hamstrings loosen up. For me, that's huge. I'm pretty flexible (except for the hamstrings) and I've been doing yoga for a while, so I didn't need most of the modifications she introduced, but they didn't bother me, either. Again, this is a great workout- I recommend it to anyone who wants a total body workout but wants a softer (though not slower) pace. Perfect!
Rating: 
Summary: THIS IS NOT PILATES, and it is a let-down.
Review: the procution quality of this tape low, and the pace of the 'work out' is slow. The title is misleading, as Kries has created her own system based on yoga, pilates, and classical dance - therefore she should not be using Pilates in her title. Her techniques are also not true enough to any of the forms that she claims to be using to be attributed to them (i.e. she instructs exhaling through the mouth, which is not okay in yoga practice) This tape is probably appropriate for people just starting, or with infirmities, but for anyone who is not at a 'basic' level, it will be a waste of money and time. In addition, not only is Kries boring, poorly spoken, and condescending, but the first 20 minutes are virtually undistinguishable from another tape of hers, which I also regret buying, 'The Pilates Method.'
Rating:
Summary: Be Still my Beating Heart!!
Review: This is a FABULOUS workout!! I haven't done Pilates since high school but I can now remember why I got into it. And Jennifer Kries delivers her workout and her instructions better than any instructor I've ever had. It get's your heart beat up, your flexibility up, and those pounds off! You'll feel better the very first time you run through any segement! You may not be able to do all the moves at first, especially in the core training, but with practice and patience, you'll be keeping pace with Jennifer in no time!
Rating: 
Summary: Great, no-nonsense workout!
Review: You don't have to be a dancer to do this routine! This workout is challenging yet not overly strenuous. I really like Jennifer Kries' friendly, professional style. Her cuing is easy to follow and her form is impeccable. The music in the Metabolic Booster section is very motivating! It can definitely get you into an aerobic state even though it's low impact enough to be done barefoot. The good news is, the 'no dialogue' music-only option is nice if you have the routine memorized; the bad news is, this DVD is not in stereo. However, it's an excellent overall workout that can improve your flexibility, strengthen your abs (and other muscles!), and the yoga section is both energizing and relaxing without getting too fussy. If you're new to Pilates, this DVD is a good choice!
Rating:
Summary: A great blending of yoga and more strenuous exercise
Review: This routine does what it promises. It is fun, easy to follow, and leaves you feeling energetic. It builds strength but remains challenging. It probably won't do for a solitary exercise routine, particularly if you're looking to trim down excessively, but it gets you moving and leaves you feeling great.
Rating:
Summary: Difficult For Beginning Workouts
Review: I think this is a wonderful video, the moves although fast, are easy enough to learn once you get your coordination in gear, and Jennifer Kries is very practical and straight forward...one problem though. I have just started working out and am in poor shape; I could not do 90% of the Core Conditioning, partly because I do not have the muscle strength to even make a semi-decent attempt at these exercises, and partly because I am not flexible plus the extra pounds I carry do not allow me to bend into the stretches as much as I would like to improve my flexibility (imagine putting a pillow between your stomach and legs when you bend forward). I really like the Metobalic Booster, (love the music!) but I almost didn't make it to the end, I was sweating like a pig, my heart was racing, my legs nearly gave out on me, and I wasn't even using weights! The AM/PM Rejuvination is a really good stretching/wake up the muscles workout, but again, I am not even half as flexible as needed to really benefit from these exercises. On the positive side, I have had a lot of back problems recently, and after working through the Rejuvination last night and the cardio section today, I can already feel a difference in my back, it doesn't feel so locked up. I know it is a good thing to reach beyond our limitations, that is how we grow stronger, and this video definitely has me stretching. But I probably would not have purchased this video for beginning workouts had I known the importance of flexibility and basic muscle strength to benefitting from this workout.
Rating:
Summary: Jennifer is focused!
Review: This is an excellant workout tape. Interested in the intensity of the aerobic portion, I hooked up my HRM and checked it out. I got to 60% max heart rate and could sustain 70% max with no problem. Obviously if the 20 minute time period isn't enough, do it over, or hit pause between sections and do a few more reps. In addition, use more weight. For those that are initially intimidated by the speed of the aerobic section, play it in slow motion without weights until you get the gross movements down. Then play it at speed without weights until you refine the movements with Jennifer's instructions while breathing properly. Then add weights. The Pilates section is a great workout. The last portion is Yoga based and is both energizing and relaxing. If you sincerely want to improve your posture and become stronger throughout while being coached by the focused, intelligent and quiet Jennifer Kries, purchase and use this tape.
Rating:
Summary: Cardio and Pilates all in one
Review: I have taken a few Pilates mat classes, and found this DVD to be excellent for a beginner. I like Jennifer Kries because she explains the moves really well - you don't have to keep looking up at the screen to see what she is doing because her descriptions are so clear. Also, she is down to earth and no nonsense, and I just like her style. One great feature of this DVD is the cardio section. Many Pilates workouts don't include cardio work, and this one is nice 'cos it uses light weights and is low impact (but still manages to raise my heart rate). I normally do The Firm workouts, and am used to more strenuous weight and cardio work, but this workout has made a difference in my abdominals and my flexibility. I'm looking forward to trying Jennifer Kries' other Pilates workouts.
Rating:
Summary: You've got to try this out
Review: I just received my video and tried it right away. This is my first try at Pilates and I like it already. It's a lot of stretching, for those of you that haven't tried pilates before, so it may take time to get use to. There are parts wherein she shows you the moves one time and then goes at regular pace, so I may need to watch the video a few times just to get the moves down. Like I said, I'm a beginner, but I really like this video
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