Rating: 
Summary: Forgive me if I am wrong
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Best help
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: One Among Many
Review: I am a beginner in Pilates and have purchased many videos to complement mat classes at the gym. This video set is OK, and the history of someone named Romana is pretty good. But my teacher at the gym is more articulate about Pilates than the voiceover instructor on this video set. There is woman who speaks as the demonstrators workout. She delivers her comments in such general terms that you could virtually be doing any type of exercise. As I said, my gym Pilates teacher is much more specific and clear about the goals of Plates method exercises. All in all, I wasn't overly impressed. This video set promotes a person named Romana but I have never heard of her. I'm sure she is a great teacher, but I couldn't see reasons why in these videos. It seems the designers of the video set had excellent intentions, but the delivery didn't quite follow through. Based on my small collection of Pilates videos, I suggest that "Pilates for Dummies" and "Classical Pilates" are the only two videos you need.
Rating: 
Summary: Middle of the Road
Review: I am fairly new to Pilates, but I take regular lessons. I have bought several other Pilates videos to supplement my training. For example, Stott Pilates, Winsor Pilates, Guiam, Pilates for Dummies, and Classical Pilates. Then someone told me to buy this 4 video set because it was supposed to be "the real thing." I thought the documentary part was good. But as far as teaching, there's not a lot of instruction. This video presents the woman, Romana, as the inheritor of Joseph Pilates' method. Honestly, this seemed somewhat presumptuous because I know that many people studied with Joseph Pilates. Since I don't know the whole story, I will refrain from passing judgment. This video is good in its way, but I couldn't understand how this Piates video was any more 'real' or 'true' than the other popular videos available. I guess this woman named Romana must have be a really great teacher, but I didn't perceive her as teaching beyond the other videos I already have.
Rating:
Summary: Not My Way
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting But Not Great
Review: I bought this video set to have a record of traditional Pilates, and because the old film footage of Romana is good to see. By and large, though, this "4 volume gift set" is not the best gift. I've studied the Pilates method through both Peak Pilates and Stott Pilates training programs. Since I heard about Romana, I thought I would give this video set a try. The costumes were good, the lighting and sets were good. The demonstrators were accomplished, but something special was missing, that sparkle that Romana is known for revealing in her best students. But I didn't see enough of Romana teaching. Some person---who didn't seem to know Pilates very well---did the voiceover instruction. Since I by a lot of Pilates videos to learn new exercises, and to learn from different traditions within the Pilates method, I recommend "Pilates for Dummies" for beginners and "Classical Pilates" from beginner to advanced levels.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, the real deal!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Unpolished
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Good Effort But.......
Review: I have been studying Pilates with a certified instructor from New York City. My teacher was trained under Romana, and I have always heard legendary tales about this wonderful woman. That's why I bought this video set. I was kind of disappointed. The video was supposed to feature Romana, and it does in a way, but the videos don't have Romana teaching very much. Some of the archival footage of Romana is terrific, but when they place the name of exercises on the entire screen, which is very distracting. It's strange, too, because the woman who does the voice instruction might as well have been an aerobics instructor. It doesn't sound like the voice cues that my teacher gives me. From the voice instruction I heard, it could have been done by nearly anyone. I don't think this person was a Pilates instructor. I am sure that good intentions went into making this video, but I would recommend others.
Rating:
Summary: Romana's Pilates:4 Vol Gift Set: too much of the same
Review: 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.
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