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.
Rating: 
Summary: Well...What Can I Say?
Review: I trained to be a certified instructor in the Physicalmind system of Pilates. Physicalmind is a farily new school within the history of the Pilates method. We tend to focus upon rehabilitation and have a strong physical therapy component. We also don't encourage rhythm and dynamics as much as the classical style. Most of us in Physicalmind have heard of Romana's renowned teaching style, which is much different than the way I was trained. Romana is famous for bringing life to Pilates movement with rhythm and energy. The reason whay I bought this 4 video set is to experience Romana's excellence and ways of teaching. Unfortunately, Romana does not teach very much. And there is no description of her influence upon Joseph Pilates' method. This 4 video set did not provide the tradition I was looking for.
Rating:
Summary: Where's the workout
Review: I waited a long time for this box set to arrive and I was highly disappointed. I was looking forward to Pilates tapes using the original Joseph Pilates methods and knew that Romana would offer the most authentic tapes. She did deliver in that respect - the techniques are just what I was expecting. What's lacking is the actual workout. One tape offers a workout of 30 minutes. The rest are 15 min or less. I kept watching one tape after another thinking the real workout was just around the corner, but it never was. Bottom line - I do not recommend this box set. It's a waste of money. The tapes are repetative and are void of the real Pilates workout I was looking for. I sincerely wish I could give a better review.
Rating:
Summary: Many Fish In The Sea
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Still Inspired!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Not Romana's High Standards
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Expectations Were High
Review: Romana Kryzanowska is undoubtedly the most brilliant and talented of Joseph Pilates' students. She has carried on Mr. Pilates legacy for many decades, teaching the most talented individuals who enter the Pilates profession. Romana is indeed the primary link to Joseph Pilates himself. And it is wonderful to see the archival film footage of Romana working out at Mr. Pilates' original New York City studio. Also, the sets are beautiful. Unfortunately, however, these videos do not capture the extraordinary teachings of Romana, and only a limited amount of her remarkable personal charm. In fact, these videos do not have much instruction. There is voice over from someone, yet she doesn't seem to have sufficient training in the Pilates method. Is this person a producer, director, or a highly trained Pilates professional? Why didn't Romana complete the voice over instruction? Romana certainly has the knowledge and experience to do the voice over instruction. Another limitation is that the editing, at times, is choppy and the workouts are interrupted by covering the entire screen with the particular exercise name. This blocks the flowing movement, which is a hallmark of Romana's work in Pilates. Seamless transitions are essential, but the editing impedes the rhythm and dynamics. One last issue is the name: Romana's Pilates. The Pilates method is only Joseph Pilates' method; it is NOT Romana's method. It seems disrespectful to place anyone's name before Mr. Pilates, whether it is Stott Pilates or Peak Pilates or whatever. This 4 volume set does not do justice to Romana or to the greatness of Mr. Pilates. This is disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: Many Fish In The Sea
Review: 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."
Rating:
Summary: the best
Review: this was the best, really took me to new places
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